The Marathon Family Health Team (MFHT) has launched its new 2026 to 2029 Strategic Plan, which will help guide how primary care services are delivered in our communities over the next three years.
MFHT provides team-based primary care to residents of Marathon, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg. Primary care is often the first place people go when they need healthcare and supports people of all ages. Services include care for illness and injury, well-baby visits, immunizations, chronic disease management, wound care, mental health counselling, addiction medicine, care coordination, prevention, health promotion, and more.
To help guide this important work, MFHT developed a new Strategic Plan that acts as a roadmap outlining the organization’s priorities and goals moving forward. The plan was shaped by feedback from 349 people, including patients, community members, staff, physicians, and local partners. MFHT gathered input through surveys and community conversations to better understand what matters most to the people it serves.
What This Means for Our Communities
“When we listened to patients and community partners, we heard a strong sense of pride and appreciation for the care provided here,” said Michèle Lajeunesse, Executive Director of MFHT. “People told us how much they value access to care close to home, being able to see a provider when they need one, and feeling welcomed and supported by our team. They also emphasized the importance of prevention, healthy aging, clear communication, timely follow-up, mental health and addictions supports, and easier ways to book appointments and access health information. This plan reflects both what our communities told us we are doing well and where they want to see us grow, and we are grateful to everyone who shared their experiences with us.”
In response to this feedback, and with strong input from our team, the Strategic Plan focuses on practical actions that reflect both community needs and the realities of delivering care.
Four Strategic Directions
The plan is built around four key areas of focus:
Growing Strong as a Team: MFHT will strengthen workplace culture by improving communication and collaboration, supporting staff well-being, and creating opportunities for learning, connection, and relationship building.
Caring Fully for Our Communities: MFHT will improve how primary care is organized and delivered to reduce barriers and improve access. This includes expanding innovative care models and strengthening mental health, addictions, and social supports, while supporting care that responds to community needs across different stages of life.
Strengthening Health at Its Roots: MFHT will expand prevention, education, and inclusive and culturally safe care through community-based and upstream approaches that support overall well-being and help people stay healthy.
Building Strong Foundations: MFHT will enhance digital tools, technology, and its facility to support accessible, coordinated, and sustainable primary care, while exploring opportunities to modernize infrastructure and support long-term facility planning and improvements.
MFHT Board Chair Dr. Eliseo Orrantia says the Strategic Plan reflects the organization’s strong commitment to its communities and its team.
“Primary care plays a key role in community health, and this Strategic Plan reflects MFHT’s commitment to listening and responding to local needs,” said Dr. Orrantia. “The Board is proud to support a plan shaped by both community and team input that focuses on enhancing access to high-quality primary care while helping position MFHT to remain sustainable and responsive to community needs in the years ahead.”
Looking Ahead
Over the coming months, MFHT will begin implementing initiatives aligned with the Strategic Plan while continuing to build on existing programs and partnerships. This work will be guided by ongoing collaboration with community partners, patients, and health system partners to strengthen local primary care services.
MFHT encourages residents and community partners to review the Strategic Plan and continue sharing feedback as this work moves forward. The full Strategic Plan is available here. A one-page graphic is also included below.
