North York General Partners to Support Black Mothers

A new partnership between North York General Hospital and Mino Care is expanding access to culturally safe Black maternal and reproductive care across the Greater Toronto Area, addressing long-standing gaps in the health-care system for Black women and birthing people.

Announced in November 2025, the collaboration brings Mino Care’s community-based, culturally grounded services into a hospital setting through an in-person clinic operating out of North York General’s Outpatient and Community Services Centre (Champagne Site) at 2 Champagne Drive in North York. The clinic runs two Saturdays each month from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is staffed by health-care professionals and support workers from Mino Care. Childcare is also provided onsite, reducing a common barrier to accessing care for parents with young children.

“This partnership is an important step in improving access to care that reflects the lived experiences and needs of Black women, families and other people giving birth,” said Dr. Everton Gooden, President and CEO of North York General. He noted that working with trusted community organizations is central to closing care gaps and advancing health equity in North York and beyond, a key priority under the hospital’s new strategic plan.

Mino Care Founder and CEO Elsie Amoako described the partnership as a significant step toward integrated, culturally safe perinatal and reproductive care. “This collaboration enables us to bring our comprehensive services into a unified space that centers the holistic well-being of patients and their families,” she said. “Together, we aim to deepen equitable access to care, particularly for Black and racialized communities, while supporting health-care professionals committed to inclusive, trauma-informed practice.”

Through the partnership, patients can access a wide range of services designed to reduce health risks and complications that disproportionately affect Black women. These include consultations with midwives or nurses, mental health counselling, fertility support, pelvic floor therapy, doula care, and lactation support, all delivered through a culturally informed lens.

Culturally safe maternal care remains a challenge in Canada. Limited data and a lack of public focus on Black maternal health outcomes mean many providers are unfamiliar with the specific risks and experiences of Black patients. Canadian studies that do exist show Black women often feel unheard or mistreated during pregnancy and childbirth, and despite higher rates of depression and anxiety, may underutilize mental health services due to cultural and systemic barriers.

For appointments and more information, visit minocare.ca.

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