Royal Columbian Foundation n atio nd l fou ita p os n h ia b um l l co oya IMAGE COURTESY OF R

Royal Columbian Hospital is one of B.C.’s top critical care , serving a population of It’s Our Time more than 1.8 million people — one in three British Under the Lights Columbians. Traditionally B.C.’s unsung hero of healthcare, has begun an unprecedented and transformational redevelopment

ospital upgrades are always an comprise the largest government-funded Royal Columbian, which is also the important undertaking, as well health care redevelopment project ever province’s oldest hospital (established in as being elaborate in terms of approved in B.C. — are for the only hospital 1862); but the bottom line is that with it logistics. But the impact of the in the province with Level 1 trauma, cardiac serving about one third of the total three-phase, $1.35-billion care, neurosurgery, high-risk obstetrics, population of B.C., the upgrades — Phase 1 improvement for New Westmin- neonatal intensive care, and acute mental- of which is already underway — will take ster-basedH Royal Columbian Hospital is health care services, all on one site. Royal these services to stratospheric new heights. such that it recently prompted Tom Columbian is B.C.’s busiest cardiac care As far as Royal Columbian site medical Sparrow, the hospital’s redevelopment centre; it is the only hospital in B.C. that director and critical care physician Dr. chief project officer, to remark, “What’s cares for certain critically ill pregnant Steve Reynolds is concerned, the upgrades taking place is spectacular and of significant women and their unborn children; and it is are also drawing much-needed attention to benefit to , Metro one of the province’s busiest emergency the hospital’s achievements. “I came here and all of B.C.” departments and medical heliports. eight years ago and was struck by how such That’s because the upgrades — which There are many other distinctions to a talented team of health care professionals

SPECIAL FEATURE Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation

did amazing work and yet weren’t inclined also respected as a teaching hospital in iterations of every element being carefully to draw attention to themselves,” he says. partnership with the University of British considered before one is finalized,” according “It’s an admirable quality, but unfortu- Columbia and other institutions: “We have to Sparrow. nately it tends to compromise Royal upwards of 1,400 UBC residents and other Sue Paish, the Foundation’s redevelopment Columbian when it comes to advocating for students working here per year and that, too, campaign cabinet chair, says, “Royal Colum- funding or the distribution of resources.” will increase in size.” bian’s redevelopment teams are being So how will $1.35 billion make Royal The amount of planning and collaboration visionary, practical, courageous and confident Columbian better than it already is? For required to move this project forward is in planning both the bricks and mortar starters, the first phase will add a new mental enormous, with the provincial government, elements of the new hospital and, most health and substance use wellness centre to , and the Royal Columbian importantly, the service delivery plan.” To the infrastructure, consisting of 75 beds (an Hospital Foundation responsible for funding which Reynolds adds, “Our culture, our increase from the current 30) as well as a — the latter currently fundraising in order to processes, how we flow patients through the new, more efficient energy plant and an make multi-million dollar contributions to the system — everything is being analyzed to create advanced fibre-optic network. three phases. “It’s interesting to think that even better efficiencies than we have now.” Phase 2, which will unfold between 2020 donations from industries and the commu- Paish continues, “This process is vital, and 2024, will see the construction of a new nity allowed the original Royal Columbian to because health care needs are evolving. To acute-care tower to provide more beds, a new be built in 1862 for just under $3,400, and take just one example, the population of and larger emergency department, four more here we are relying on benefactors again,” seniors we serve will double in 20 years, operating rooms, more MRI capacity, plus says Foundation president and CEO Jeff and there are plenty of other changing equipment and site enhancements. Norris. “The response we’ve received is demographics we must be ready for.” The final phase, which will commence in overwhelming: we’ve already raised While various public figures associated 2023, includes upgrades to areas in the one-third of the $9 million we set as the with the upgrades expressed their excite- Health Care Centre and Columbia Tower to Foundation’s goal for Phase 1 of redevelop- ment about the project when it was first support the beds and services added in Phase ment, thanks to a $1 million donation from announced in 2017, New Westminster 2. It includes expansion of clinical support BMO Financial Group to really get the ball mayor Jonathan Cote most accurately spaces, conversion of four-bed inpatient rolling.” summarizes the sentiment by remarking, rooms, and improvements and expansions to As for determining the actual components “Finally, the sleeping giant that is Royal the pediatric and neonatal intensive care of the upgrades, “A massive number of Columbian is getting the attention it units. stakeholders are working closely with deserves. We’re very much looking forward Sparrow notes that Royal Columbian is architects and builders, with three or four to how the future will unfold.” ■ iser ll Royal Columbian Hospital is a B.C.’s busiest cardiac care centre, ld W performing complex open-heart sur- era gery as well as minimally invasive procedures to open blocked arteries and replace failing heart valves. mage courtesy of J I

S pecial F eature iser ll a ld W era mage courtesy of J ICU I s & N ld o n ey e R v te . S Dr

Royal Columbian Hospital’s site medical director, Dr. Steve Reynolds (left). Royal Columbian’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit cares for some of the province’s sickest and most premature babies (top). The preliminary concept for the new Acute Care Tower in Phase 2 of Royal Columbian Hospital’s redevelopment.

established within a few years. “This is an entirely appropriate development for us, as Research and Tech Royal Columbian is by far New Westmin- ster’s biggest employer: one in five jobs in this city pertain to health care.” Hub is the Best IDEA Allison concludes, “Combined with thousands of new health care professionals pgrades to any institution can be and farther afield. coming into Royal Columbian thanks to the a catalyst for related economic IDEA Centre will encourage globally upgrades, IDEA Centre will be a huge opportunities in the community recognized medical talent to serve as economic engine that will also spur related and the three-phase undertaking clinicians, educators and researchers at services and amenities in New Westminster.” ■ at Royal Columbian Hospital is a Royal Columbian, as well as partner with great example. It has inspired a institutions such as the University of British OUR TIME IS NOW UCity of New Westminster task force in Columbia. In turn, this will result in ongoing At Royal Columbian Hospital, the most partnership with the Fraser Health medical and health sciences vacancies being seriously ill and injured get their greatest Authority and the Royal Columbian filled; increase the presence of higher chance at life. We deliver critical care to Hospital Foundation to develop a medically education institutions at Royal Columbian; as much as one-third the population of related research and technology hub generate research leading to next-genera- the province. No other hospital in B.C. known as IDEA Centre. tion medical and life sciences technologies delivers our range of services at this Mark Allison, manager, strategic initiatives and practices; and perhaps even provide a high level of care. and sustainability for the City of New new model for health districts. With an unprecedented redevelop- Westminster, says, “This is the perfect time to Allison notes, “Research and innovation ment and expansion now underway at plan for such an initiative. A few years ago, a is really the key to the future, and in this B.C.’s longest-serving hospital, the study revealed that Royal Columbian regard our IDEA Centre is not without moment to advance our critical care generated $526 million annually in economic precedent: B.C.’s future has arrived. Our fundraising activity in B.C., most of it in Greater Vancou- developed a research hub when that facility campaign will ensure that our ver, and the upgraded hospital will cause that was being expanded a few years ago, and world-class medical teams have the figure to climb to over $747 million.” similar examples abound in other parts of cutting-edge tools and technology to IDEA Centre will transform the precinct and the U.S.” provide exceptional care. surrounding Royal Columbian into a mecca New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote Visit rchfoundation.com/critical for for research and technology advancements says a special employment area around more information or to make your and post-secondary partnerships with the Royal Columbian has already been donation today. goal of improving healthcare in the region designated, and an initial hub could be

S pecial F eature THESE STARS SHINE FOR ROYAL COLUMBIAN HOSPITAL.

OUR TIME IS NOW.

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is Chair: Sue Paish Dr. Anson Koo CEO, The Digital Technology Chief Psychiatrist, honoured to present our capital campaign Supercluster Mental Health and Substance Use Program RCH Foundation Chair: cabinet, which unites leaders from across Doug Eveneshen Kirk McLean CEO, Stabilization Alumni, our most critical industries, communities Central Credit Union Vancouver Canucks RCH Foundation Paul Palmer and partnerships. With an unprecedented President & CEO: Partner, EY Je Norris redevelopment and expansion of Royal Jennifer Podmore Russell Cameron Belsher Senior Vice President Columbian now underway, we are committed Partner, Group Head M&A, Operations, Rennie Group McCarthy Tetrault LLP Salima Remtulla to supporting this $1.35 billion multi-year, Mike Bonner VP, Operations & Corporate Senior Vice President, Strategy, Leith Wheeler multi-phase project, every step of the way. Regional Head, BC & Yukon, Investment Counsel Ltd BMO Bank of Montreal Tom Sparrow Dr. Sukh Brar Chief Project O„ cer, The time? Defi nitely now. The opportunity? Past President, BC RCH, Redevelopment Anaesthesiologists Society & Anaesthesiologist, RCH Graham Walker Far-reaching, game-changing, transformative Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais Frank Butzelaar improvements in how critical care is shaped Chief Executive O„ cer, David Wesik Seaspan ULC Vice President, Operations and delivered in BC. & Corporate Development, Jonathan Coté Wesgroup Properties Mayor, City of New Westminster Wade Winkler Kevin Desmond Partner, McQuarrie Hunter LLP Chief Executive O„ cer, TransLink When it’s critical, it’s Royal Columbian. Salima Mawji Dr. Shahzad Karim Chief Development O„ cer, rchfoundation.com/critical Cardiothoracic Surgeon, RCH RCH Foundation

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