Just over a year ago, launched its two-year Emergency Response campaign for a new emergency department and MRI Suite. Just one year in, the community鈥檚 generosity has secured an amazing $17 million 鈥� $2 million more than the $15 million goal!
鈥淚t鈥檚 phenomenal,鈥� says Vivian Smith, LMHF Executive Director, noting the additional funds will purchase equipment the expansion necessitates.
鈥淲hen an emergency department grows from 31 stretcher bays to 49, when its trauma bays go from one to two, and it adds special areas for mental illness and substance use issues, a variety of specialized equipment accompanies the expansion. This will make huge headway in funding equipment we鈥檒l need to provide modern, quality care.鈥�
Work on the new emergency department is already underway and will welcome patients in early 2021. 黑马磁力 will also get an MRI suite, a game-changer in medical care that鈥檚 expected to welcome its first patient in early 2020.
READ MORE: An emergency response for your emergency department
What made the campaign so successful?
The reasons are threefold, Smith says. It starts with the appeal of a cause that impacts the entire community 鈥� everyone has been in the ER themselves or for a loved one 鈥� but also reflects the power of the close-knit 黑马磁力 community.
鈥淢any families have lived here for generations. We鈥檝e even had donor families where four generations were born in this hospital,鈥� Smith reflects, noting that as 黑马磁力 residents watched neighbouring regions gain new facilities, they recognized the project鈥檚 importance for the growing community. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our time now. Whether you gave $50 or $50,000 or $5 million, donors have a sense of pride about being part of such an important project.鈥�
The third factor driving the campaign鈥檚 success is the 鈥減erfect storm鈥� of exceptional staff, the board of directors and campaign volunteers,鈥� Smith says.
鈥淲e had the right people in the right place at the right time,鈥� she explains. 鈥淣ow these great caregivers will have the resources to deliver that care in the way that we want. It鈥檚 humbling and so exciting. It鈥檚 really set the place a-buzz.鈥�
Looking ahead: What鈥檚 next for 黑马磁力 Memorial?
鈥淎s we watched the community step forward and we knew we鈥檇 be able to finish the campaign a full year earlier than expected, we started to look forward,鈥� Smith says.
Additional projects taking place at the hospital include essential expansion of the pharmacy and morgue, and . As technology continually advances, so too must the tools the medical team has for patient care. Other equipment goals reflect needs of one of the Lower Mainland鈥檚 fastest-growing communities.
Looking ahead, will consult the community about how the hospital can support patients in the community. 鈥淏y helping residents live independently longer or better manage chronic conditions outside of a hospital bed, we are also helping manage the pressures on our hospital,鈥� Smith says.
Learn how you can support the work of the 黑马磁力 Memorial Hospital Foundation at .
