Richmond Review · Page 13
Friday, September 14, 2012
health
The pulse of Richmond Hospital
The Pulse of Richmond Hospital
Y
Natalie D. Meixner
ou never know when you’re going to need health care services, but you always want them to be there when you do. We’re fortunate to have those services right at our doorstep.
Richmond Hospital is a place that everyone in our community will need to visit at some point in their lives. It’s a place filled with exceptional medical professionals and health care workers that consistently go above and beyond to provide quality care for patients. In addition though, it’s a place that relies on the gen-
erosity of our entire community to meet the growing health care needs of our city. As president and CEO of Richmond Hospital Foundation, I am honoured to represent an organization that for 25 years has raised more than $40-million in support of purchasing vital medical equipment, improving patient care programs, and upgrading facilities at Richmond Hospital. The truth is that government funding provides the basic framework for health care, but the support of our donors truly makes the difference in the quality of care that can be provided in Richmond. We are so grateful for the individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who have chosen to contribute to our Foundation. Knowing the support those gifts have provided, and the patients they’ve helped, I can tell you each has made a tremendous difference. Richmond Hospital is here for us on every step of life’s journey—from babies to greatgrandparents, our doctors, nurses, and professionals take pride in serving the needs of our community. They’re here to welcome the birth of your newborn. They’re here if you’ve broken a bone, need an MRI, or if you’re critically ill. They’re here for all of
life’s foreseen, and unforeseen, twists and turns. There’s no doubt a visit to the hospital can be an emotional journey. That’s why we feel the powerful experience of everyone who comes through our hospital tells the story of the hospital itself. We look forward to telling you these stories, of not only the patients that receive quality health care, but also those who work tirelessly to support our medical programs to make Richmond Hospital an exceptional place. The support of Richmond Hospital Foundation also allows our health professionals to expand their work into new areas of patient care. For example, one new initiative of the Foundation is a partnership with the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute to launch the first community hospital research program in British Columbia, right here at Richmond Hospital. A local family physician, Dr. Scott Garrison, is leading a team of doctors to research tangible issues that can be directly applied to patients. His current research focuses on whether reducing the number of medications that seniors take can actually result in healthier people and an improved quality of life. Research of this type has the
Dr. Scott Garrison, is leading a team of doctors to research tangible issues that can be directly applied to patients.
potential to impact thousands of lives, and it’s happening in Richmond thanks to Foundation supporters. As we approach the Fall, you’ll see our presence growing around town. From our 5th Annual Community Cares RadioTelethon on October 6th to our 14th Annual Starlight Gala on October 13th, we are already seeing overwhelming support from the community. I look forward in the months
ahead to taking you behind the scenes of Richmond Hospital and through the doors of our community and residential programs. I hope that through this column, you’ll feel the pulse of Richmond Hospital. Natalie D. Meixner is president and CEO of Richmond Hospital Foundation. Her column will appear monthly in The Richmond Review. www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com