Philanthropist/entrepreneur makes leadership gift to redevelopment

New Westminster, B.C. – {January 20, 2020} – An entrepreneur & philanthropist with a passion for technology is helping to transform Royal Columbian Hospital with a major gift that supports imaging for emergency and trauma care.

The Jack Gin Foundation’s $1.5 million donation to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation’s redevelopment campaign will assist phase 2 of the hospital’s $1.49 billion redevelopment, which includes the addition of a satellite medical imaging unit in a new Emergency Department.

The ER’s satellite imaging unit will house dedicated technology that includes a CT scanner, ultrasound and two radiology rooms. Coupled with the latest technology, the emergency imaging unit will be strategically placed within the Emergency Department to drastically speed up access to diagnostic procedures.
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“Technology must be available especially in emergency trauma situations where every second counts,” says Jack Gin, an entrepreneur and engineer who is active in the community as a corporate director and philanthropist. “All this technology, applied at this imaging unit, will save lives. We make this donation with joy and a sense of responsibility to contribute to our community in this way.”

Phase 2 of the hospital’s redevelopment involves construction of a new multi-storey Acute Care Tower, due to be completed in 2025. The main floor will feature the new Emergency Department with 75 treatment bays - increasing total space for the ER by more than half. This will help the hospital accommodate all types of ER patients, and trauma patients will be able to get the imaging scans they need within the ER itself.

“In addition to serving the emergency needs of our population, Royal Columbian is one of the province’s two major adult trauma centres,” notes Dr. Jon Braunstein, Royal Columbian emergency department head. “This means a high number of patients with life-threatening conditions or who require complex care. With more space and a design that meets our unique needs, the new emergency department will help our multidisciplinary team provide urgent diagnostic and medical intervention.”

“It takes donors like Jack Gin to provide leadership and momentum to large fundraising campaigns like this one,” says Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “His gift will encourage others to consider theirs and help meet the healthcare needs of as many as a third of British Columbians.”

Where BC Fights

As BC’s leading critical care hospital, one in three British Columbians rely on Royal Columbian Hospital. This is where BC fights for hope, and for life. We are the only hospital in BC with trauma, cardiac, neurosciences, high-risk maternity and neonatal intensive care on one site. We look after some of the most seriously ill and injured patients, and we do it with the support of donors like you.

Since 1978, donors to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation have helped fund priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research, education and innovation at Royal Columbian Hospital. Visit rchfoundation.com for more information.