How Information, Communication and Automation Technology is powering the new South Niagara Hospital.
As the South Niagara Hospital (SNH) takes shape, technology is playing a vital role behind the scenes — and at the heart of it is the Information, Communication and Automation Technology (ICAT) team. Led by Cam Yates, Director of ICAT for the SNH Redevelopment Team, the group is helping ensure the hospital is built not just for today, but for decades to come.
A seasoned IT professional, Yates joined the SNH project in October 2022, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in hospital redevelopment. His background includes major hospital builds such as Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Milton District Hospital and Groves Memorial Community Hospital. With the SNH build, Yates is making sure the new facility is equipped with smart, scalable technology, working closely with Niagara Health’s (NH) operational IT teams to ensure a seamless transition when the building opens in 2028.
Cam Yates, ICAT Director, South Niagara Hospital Redevelopment Team
The SNH ICAT team may be small — currently just three members — but their role in the project is significant. Michael Glanzmann moved from Calgary in 2016 to join NH as a Technical Analyst, although he is originally from Switzerland. He joined the SNH Project in 2019, and is managing the installation and operation of more than 16,000 pieces of IT equipment in the new hospital.
"Everything touches technology these days, and we know that its impact will only continue to grow. From patient care systems to communications and signage, technology is a massive part of the project and is embedded in nearly every aspect of the hospital.”
Stevie Christopher only joined the SNH Redevelopment Team recently, but she is no stranger to NH. She joined in 2012 as a Registered Practical Nurse and transitioned to IT in 2017 after assisting with several technology projects. Most recently, she was part of the Hospital Information System (HIS) team. Her broad experience at NH will be invaluable in her role on the project working with the construction contractors and consultants delivering ICAT clinical systems and critical integrations, such as the real-time locating system (RTLS) and nurse call systems.
Why is ICAT so essential? “Everything touches technology these days, and we know that its impact will only continue to grow,” says Yates. “From patient care systems to communications and signage, technology is a massive part of the project and is embedded in nearly every aspect of the hospital.”
For a building designed to operate for 100 years, future-proofing is a key priority. Wherever possible, flexibility and adaptability have been built into the project, such as additional power outlets and data ports, extra conduits for future equipment and infrastructure ready to support evolving needs. Even the broader hospital site has been designed with future expansion in mind.
“We don’t know how technology is going to change in the future, so as much as possible we’ve tried to put in the infrastructure so that our building can adapt to change,” says Yates.
Given the complexity of the project, certain ICAT components need to be in place as early as 18 months before opening day. Over the next couple of years, the primary focus for the SNH ICAT team will be preparing the building for the network go-live, scheduled for early 2027. This is the first of four major ICAT milestones leading to the hospital’s opening.
The result is a hospital that will be ready not just for Opening Day, but for the innovations still to come. SNH is being built as a truly modern, connected facility — designed to grow, adapt and serve the community well into the future.
Get the latest construction updates and news about the South Niagara Hospital in the May issue of the Project Newsletter- Now Available!
