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Volunteer Auxiliary Gives $1.765 M Boost to Emergency Care and Research at the Ottawa Hospital
Ottawa, June 2, 2003 - The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Auxiliary has made a $1.765 million dollar donation to patient care and research at The Ottawa Hospital. Specifically, $1 million will support the soon to be expanded Emergency Department at the Civic Campus and the remaining funds will support research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI). This brings the total gifts and pledges to $25.5 million for The Ottawa Hospital Foundation Legacy Campaign.
The renovation and expansion project of the Emergency Services at the Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital will increase capacity from 125,000 sq. ft to approximately 200,000 sq. ft. The Civic Campus will undergo an expansion to create a modern facility that improved patient care with increased privacy, space and patient comfort. Construction for this project is lasted to start this summer. The General Campus will undergo expansions and renovations to nearly double in size, however that project is slated to start in 2005.
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute will benefit from these funds to help support research in the area of diseases related to the aging population. Dr. Michel Chrétien leads a team of scientists who are studying diseases related to an aging population such as Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, and viral infections that will lead to new treatments and prevention.
“The Civic Campus at The Ottawa Hospital is fortunate to have such dedicated and committed volunteers such as the Civic Auxiliary,” said Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital. “Our volunteers are an integral part of the healthcare team, and they provide invaluable support to healthcare providers, patients, and their families in all areas of the Hospital.”
“We are thrilled to have such important support internally from our volunteers“, says Dr. Ron Worton, CEO and Scientific Director of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. “We are thrilled that the Volunteer Auxiliary understands the importance of research at a teaching hospital and how it goes from the “bench to the bedside” to improve patient care right here in our community.”
The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Auxiliary supports the Civic Campus through the lottery kiosk, various partnerships, and the five shops on the “Main Street Mall” at the Civic Campus. These shops are entirely managed and staffed by volunteers so all the profits go right back into patient care and research at The Ottawa Hospital.
“The Volunteers here at the Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital contributed over 55,000 hours of service last year,” said Beryl McKale, President of The Ottawa Hospital - Civic Auxiliary, “this is their way of giving back to the community and creating a strong Hospital.”
After the celebrations and as of tomorrow, Beryl McKale will serve as past president of the Civic Auxiliary after 4 years of commitment and leadership.
For more information, visit The Ottawa Hospital Foundation Web site at http://www.ohfoundation.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Heather McDiarmid, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, 798-5555, ext. 12972, hmcdiarmid@ottawahospital.on.ca
Ron Vezina, The Ottawa Hospital, (613)737-8460, rvezina@ottawahospital.on.ca