Canadians and Ontarians take great pride and interest in their health care system. The individuals and institutions that help care for our health affect each one of us at some time in our lives. The story of who we are as individuals and collective societies is rooted in our health and well-being.

The Archives of Ontario is proud to hold an important key to the province’s heritage through the health-related records that it acquires, preserves, and makes accessible to the public. This exhibit presents the variety and scope of medical records held by the Archives of Ontario. It illustrates how medical records are used for historical research and other purposes in addition to their primary function of providing health care.

Of course some health information is very personal and private and is only disclosed according to protection of privacy legislation. As well, any items with personal information that are featured in this display have been selected due to the significant period of time that has elapsed since these records were created, as allowed by privacy legislation.

This online exhibit is based on a travelling exhibit sponsored by Associated Medical Services Inc.

Associated Medical Services, Inc. (AMS) was established in 1936 by Dr. Jason Hannah as a pioneer prepaid not-for-profit health care organization in Ontario. With the advent of Medicare AMS became a charitable organization supporting innovations in academic medicine and health services, specifically the history of medicine and health care, as well as innovations in health professional education and bioethics.

Feedback

Please let us know what you thought of this exhibit. We also welcome any suggestions for ways it can be improved so please take a few moments to send us your comments by filling in the form below.