Media Releases

Providence in the Park: Providence Health Care Helps Downtown Eastside Residents Prepare for Winter

Vancouver, October 23, 2009 — On Saturday, October 24, Providence Health Care (PHC) will be providing blankets, warm clothes and healthy lunches to hundreds of residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Despite the temporary closure of the park, which is currently under construction, the twice-annual event will continue to cater to the Oppenheimer Park neighbourhood. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather in front of Oppenheimer Park, on Dunlevy Avenue, which will be closed between Cordova and Powell Street, to distribute the provisions.

Outstanding Contributions to Patient Care Recognized

Victoria, October 5, 2009 — Seven teams from each of B.C.'s health authorities and one individual from Vancouver received BC Patient Safety and Quality Council awards for advancing patient safety and quality of care, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon.
“Kudos to all of the health professionals who treat thousands of patients every single day,” said Falcon. “These awards recognize the efforts of teams throughout the province ensuring that patients receive safe, high-quality care.”

Excellence in Quality and Patient Safety recipients:

BMO Donates $100,000 to Innovative "STOP-HIV/AIDS" Program

Vancouver, October 2, 2009 — A $100,000 gift from BMO Financial Group to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation will provide important support to the STOP-HIV/AIDS program operated by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
St. Paul's Hospital and Providence Health Care's BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) are actively seeking to improve the health of people with HIV and related diseases through the development of comprehensive treatment programs and providing access to them.

Former EnCana Corp. CEO and Wife Donate $1.375M to Honour the Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon Who Saved His Sight

Vancouver, September 16, 2009 — St. Paul's Hospital Foundation and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Medicine are pleased to announce the creation of the William H. Ross Fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Excellence.

BC Clinics Fast-Track Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Vancouver, July 3, 2009 — Women across the Lower Mainland are now able to visit one of four rapid- access breast cancer diagnosis pilot clinics to quickly catch potential cases of breast cancer, thanks to a $5-million investment from the Province’s Lower Mainland Innovation and Integration Fund (LMIIF), announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon today. “Every one of us is touched in some way by breast cancer and we now know that catching it quickly dramatically improves health outcomes,” said Falcon.

25,000th Visit to Kidney Clinic Celebrated

Vancouver, June 16, 2009 — Jim Dunsmore believes he would be on dialysis today were it not for the Kidney Function Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital, part of Providence Health Care (PHC). The Vancouver architect, whose health challenges include kidney disease, type 1 diabetes and heart disease, has attended the clinic since 1997. His appointment on Wednesday, June 17th will mark the 25,000th patient visit to the clinic, which has served as a model for early kidney care intervention across the province.

Vancouver Team First in North America to Win International Infection Prevention and Control Award

Vancouver, May 25, 2009 — In the wake of the recent global H1N1 Influenza A (human swine flu) outbreak, Providence Health Care is especially pleased to announce that its Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPAC) has won the Oxoid Judges’ Special Award for excellence in hospital infection prevention. It is the first time such an award has been bestowed upon an infection control team in North America.

Providence Health Care Nurses Honoured with BC Nursing Awards

Vancouver, May 14, 2009 — During National Nursing Week (May 11-17), Providence Health Care (PHC) is recognizing and celebrating the dedication of our nurses in providing exceptional care, teaching, service and research within the organization.

RBC Foundation Donates $1 Million to Fund New Nursing Program at St. Paul's Hospital

Vancouver, May 7, 2009 — Nurses at St. Paul's Hospital will soon benefit from an innovative new mentorship and education program thanks to a landmark $1-million donation from the RBC Foundation. This milestone contribution will support the establishment of the new RBC Leadership Program for Nursing Innovation, which will provide nurses at St. Paul's Hospital with improved education and mentorship opportunities.

St. Paul’s Hospital Surgeon Awarded Top 40 Under 40

Vancouver, May 5, 2009 — Providence Health Care is pleased to announce that Dr. Sam Wiseman, a general surgeon with St. Paul’s Hospital and a research scientist with the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, is a recipient of a Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 TM Award for 2009.

Dr. Mark Tyndall Honoured at AccolAIDS Gala

Vancouver, April 21, 2009 — Dr. Mark Tyndall, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Providence Health Care, was presented with an AccolAIDS Award last night at the 8th Annual AccolAIDS Awards Gala.
Presented by the British Columbia Person’s With AIDS (BCPWA) Society, the AccolAIDS Awards honour the extraordinary achievements and dedication of organizations, businesses, groups and individuals responding to the AIDS epidemic in British Columbia, and the thousands of people living in B.C. who are affected.

Providence in the Park - Clothing and Healthy Lunches for Downtown Eastside Residents

Vancouver, April 17, 2009 — On Saturday April 18, Providence Health Care (PHC) will be providing healthy lunches, clothing, socks and toiletries to more than 500 residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather at Oppenheimer Park beginning at 11am, at the corner of Cordova Street and Dunlevy Avenue, to distribute the provisions.

Providence Health Care Again Named a Best Employer for New Canadians

Vancouver, April 6, 2009 — For the second year in a row Providence Health Care (PHC) has been selected as one of the 20 Best Employers for New Canadians for 2009, a designation that recognizes the nation's best employers for recent immigrants.
PHC was recognized in 2009 for its progressive work policies, educational and training opportunities and competitive compensation that assist new Canadians in making the transition to a new workplace and a new life in Canada.

Innovation Fast-Tracks Specialty Surgical Care

Vancouver, March 25, 2009 — Thanks to a recent investment of $5.6 million in surgical innovation at St. Paul's Hospital, referral wait times are down, surgeries are up, and recovery times are shorter than ever for Lower Mainland patients in need of lower extremity (foot and ankle) and upper extremity (hand and wrist) surgeries (also known as distal extremity surgeries).

New Partnership Good for the Hearts of BC Women

Vancouver, February 25, 2009 — The Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital (HLI) is joining the Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth campaign. The new HLI partnership in this important national women's heart health initiative is made possible by contributions from St. Paul's Hospital Foundation and Providence Health Care.

St. Paul’s Hospital is First in Canada to Scan Patients with Groundbreaking Technology

Vancouver, February 3, 2009 — A powerful new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at the Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital is bringing early diagnosis of cardiac disease to a whole new level.

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