The Centre of Arthritis Excellence (CArE) is Ontario’s first and only Ministry of Health-funded, community-based arthritis program operating under an independent not-for-profit governance model. We provide specialized interdisciplinary assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and long-term disease management for individuals living with arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions.
CArE evolved from the success of The Arthritis Program (TAP), an innovative interprofessional arthritis care model that transitioned from an acute care setting to the community in January 2021. In 2022, the Ministry of Health recognized the value of this model by providing permanent base funding to establish the Centre of Arthritis Excellence (CArE) as an independent community-based organization dedicated to delivering specialized arthritis care.
Our team of rheumatologists and allied health professionals works collaboratively to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care that combines clinical expertise with patient education, exercise, rehabilitation, and self-management strategies. Together, these services help patients reduce pain, improve function, maintain independence, and enhance their quality of life.
As Ontario’s population continues to age and the prevalence of arthritis grows, CArE remains committed to improving access to timely, patient-centred care closer to home. Our model emphasizes early intervention, coordinated care, and empowering patients with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to successfully manage chronic disease throughout their lives.
Today, CArE continues to build on its legacy of clinical excellence through innovation, research, quality improvement, and strong partnerships with patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community organizations.