Virtual cardiac care
Videoconferencing has quickly become a regular part of many of our lives ever since COVID-19 made physical distancing a top priority. Healthcare is no different, as hospitals and doctors’ offices shifted to telemedicine as a way to manage patient care during the pandemic. While the concept gained prominence in 2020, virtual consultations have been around for years and have shown some promising benefits at Royal Columbian Hospital with a group of cardiac patients.
Mindful of the future
Not one to rest on his laurels after a remarkable 50 years at Royal Columbian Hospital, Dr. Arun Garg is already anticipating the next big development in healthcare, and he wants the local community to be at the forefront of the change.
Spotlight on Auxiliary
Since 1902, countless patients and their families in every area of the hospital have been touched by the generous support and commitment of the Royal Columbian Hospital Auxiliary. An integral part of the hospital since the formation of the first Women’s Auxiliary just after the turn of the 20th century, the group’s mandate is to enhance patient care and comfort through the purchase of much-needed equipment. With such a long and proud history, the Auxiliary strengthens the hospital through volunteer activities and fundraising, primarily through book sales, Royal Columbian gift shop proceeds, and proceeds from the New To You thrift shop.
Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre
Comfort. Calming. Therapeutic. Those are among the aims of the new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre, which is part of the first phase of Royal Columbian Hospital’s unprecedented redevelopment. The 75-bed facility has been under construction for the last three years, and the vision for the new centre has been developed over many years. It’s now ready to start providing inpatient and outpatient care, as well as educational and research opportunities.
Royal Columbian Hospital launches COVID research
Medical teams around the world are rapidly learning all they can about the new coronavirus, and Royal Columbian Hospital is part of that global effort. Hospital Medical Director and critical care physician Dr. Steve Reynolds and his team have launched research to better understand how to treat critically ill COVID patients.
Giving with Heart
Dr. Margaret Blackwell’s career has taken her from Licensed Practical Nurse to Cardiologist, with Royal Columbian playing an instrumental role in her education and medical practice. The first woman trained as a Cardiologist in BC, she’s also a legacy gift donor to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
Breathing life into research
For critically ill or injured patients, mechanical ventilation can be a lifesaving intervention. However, it comes with its own risks and complications, something Dr. Steve Reynolds has thought a lot about.
Heart of gold
Generosity has the power to create a ripple effect that can last for generations. As evidence, look no further than a thoughtful philanthropic gift made decades ago that set the course for the growth of cardiac care at Royal Columbian Hospital. Over the past 50 years, heart services at the hospital have expanded to the point that Royal Columbian is now the busiest cardiac centre in BC, and it has become the busiest in Canada for a key, life-saving heart attack treatment.
Investing in ideas
Dr. Ali Abdalvand collects ideas. The Royal Columbian Hospital emergency physician considers himself an amateur inventor, albeit one who has never really gone beyond putting his thoughts to paper. However, Dr. Abdalvand and others at the hospital are getting a unique chance to bring their innovative healthcare ideas to life, with help from a donor to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
A Second Home, a Second Family
In 1971, Monica Mogg immigrated to Canada from Jamaica excited to begin a new life in a new country. During her time as an obstetrics and gynecology nurse at Royal Columbian, she found a place to call home and a second family. She’s chosen to honour her time here with a gift in her Will to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.