$9.5 Million Capital Campaign Complete!

It really is a miracle: the VGH Foundation’s Medicine & Miracles campaign, launched in support of the Vic’s massive $32.5 million redevelopment project, is now complete. The Foundation committed to raising these funds toward the construction of the Buhler Cancer Centre, the spacious new Emergency Centre, the outfitting of two operating theatres into state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery suites and various other upgrades throughout the hospital.  

The Buhler Cancer Centre opened its doors in 2008. The state-of-the-art centre offers more privacy and space, improved flow, more chemotherapy treatment spaces and exam rooms, two isolation rooms, and a specialized procedure room. In fall 2011, the Vic announced the completion of the new Emergency Centre. By dividing patients into two streams – those requiring acute emergency care and those requiring urgent care for minor injuries – the space meets the health care needs of a growing community by maximizing care for those with serious health issues and minimizing wait times. Fall 2011 also saw the opening of two state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery suites. Patients will now experience fewer complications, reduced risk of infection and significantly reduced recovery time.

These accomplishments will serve as a springboard for upcoming projects like the Miracle Garden that will wrap around the Buhler Cancer Centre. Construction on the Miracle Garden will begin in fall 2012.

Victoria General Hospital Brings Dr. Marla Shapiro to Winnipeg

On December 6 and 7, Victoria General Hospital Foundation and the hospital's

Mature Women's Centre brought CTV medical expert Dr. Marla Shapiro to Winnipeg for a public forum and a fundraising luncheon.

Dr. Shapiro shared her personal journey with breast cancer and spoke about the impact cancer as a chronic disease has on us all at a Canad Inns Fort Garry public forum titled Survivorship: Cancer as a Chronic Disease.

Over 175 supporters attended Put Your Heart Into It , a fundraising luncheon with Dr. Marla Shapiro at The Fairmont Winnipeg. Guests heard medical expert Dr. Shapiro speak on the issues of women's heart disease, how to take action, and get on the road to heart healt. CBC Winnipeg Host Janet Stewart was the Master of Ceremonies.

All proceeds from Put Your Heart Into It will help promote women's cardiac health at Victoria General Hospital's Mature Women's Centre.

Victoria General Hospital First Winnipeg Hospital to Perform New Laser Outpatient Procedure for Enlarged Prostate

Advanced laser technology delivers breakthrough solution for enlarged protate

The Victoria General Hospital is the first medical facility in Winnipeg to treat enlarged prostate using a new breakthrough laser treatment called GreenLight™ XPS Laser Therapy. Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), affects more than half of all men over the age of 50. GreenLight XPS Laser Therapy uses laser energy to remove enlarged prostate tissue. The result is in an open channel for urine to flow through, with fewer risks of sexual and other side-effects common with a traditional invasive surgical procedure. Patients recently treated at Victoria General Hospital have experienced rapid symptom relief, a dramatic improvement in urinary flow and reported minimal side effects.  

GreenLight Laser Therapy is another huge step forward in Victoria General Hospital’s innovative surgery program. Until now, treatment options for BPH in Winnipeg have been limited to a lifetime of medication or an invasive surgical procedure. Medication is a costly alternative that can stop working over time and has potential side effects. Invasive surgery is associated with higher risks and complications, such as impotence and incontinence, and typically requires a two to three day hospital stay and four to six week recovery.

The purchase of the GreenLight Laser Therapy system would not have been possible without the generosity of all of our supporters.  It is clear that our community is committed to high quality healthcare and it is through their generous gifts that the hospital can continue to stay at the forefront of surgical innovation.

Victoria General Hospital Foundation Announces Completion of State-Of-The-Art Minimally Invasive Surgery Suites

 The Victoria General Hospital Foundation announced today that the 100% donor-funded $1 million project to outfit two surgical suites with state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery technology is complete. The conclusion of this project marks a final major step forward in the completion of the Vic’s Medicine & Miracles campaign. Thanks to the commitment of all of our supporters in ensuring high quality health care is available for our community. We are so grateful for the dedication of our donors. 

The surgical suites have received their first major facelift since they were designed over 35 years ago. The renovation includes the addition of high definition cameras, flat-panel monitors, and lights attached to mechanical arms mounted on the ceiling.  The technological upgrades are impressive but the benefits for patients will be even more remarkable. Patients will experience fewer complications, a reduced risk of infection and a significantly reduced recovery time. These upgrades will keep the Vic at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery in Canada and allow us to continue providing our patients with incredibly high quality care. 

The minimally invasive surgery suite upgrades are the latest in a series of recent accomplishments for the Vic’s surgery program.  From the groundbreaking Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) system we acquired last year to the Green Light Laser Therapy we just recently purchased, the future of surgery at the Vic looks bright.

Anniversary Gala Raises Funds For Priority Projects

On October 1, almost 600 supporters attended the hospital's anniversary gala, Dancing Through The Decades, at The Fairmont Winnipeg. This first-class birthday celebration raised over $125,000 toward priority projects at the Victoria General Hospital.

Highlights  of the evening included a prize raffle, a surprise live auction for Winnipeg Jets tickets, a liver performance by Frank Ferlaino from the Institute of Dance Manitoba and Ted Motyka Dance Studio, and live entertainment by the Ron Paley Band.

Proceeds from the event will support the Vic's new Emergency Centre and the upcoming Miracle Garden.

Thank you to the generous support of our sponsors for making this event a great success!

Provincial Government Commemorates Victoria General Hospital Anniversary

On April 21, the Hon. Kerri Irvin-Ross, MLA for Fort Garry delivered a Private Members Statement in the House of Representatives to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Victoria General Hospital. 

Victoria General Hospital staff & board members in attendance include: Chief Administrative Officer Jim Gordon, Major Gifts & Planned Giving Officer Rena Molinari, President & Chief Executive Officer Francis LaBossiere and Immediate Past Board Foundation Chair Reno Molinari

Victoria General Hospital Celebrates 100 Years Of Caring

Victoria General Hospital hosted a 100th anniversary celebration open to all on the hospital's actual birthday, Sunday, March 13 at Victoria General Hospital.

The event included free cake and entertainment by the Fort Richmond Collegiate Sax Quartet, Fort Richmond Collegiate Senior Jazz Band, and Bairdmore Balladeers.

"It is exciting to look back on the past 100 years and see how far we have come," said VGH President & COO Francis LaBossiere. "This hospital has played such an important role in the lives of  people in this community, and their generosity has shaped it into the vibrant facility it is today."

The original Victoria General Hospital opened on March 13, 1911 on River Avenue. In 1971, the hospital moved to its current location on Pembina Highway.

Second Phase of Emergency Centre Officially Open

The second phase of construction on the Vic's new Emergency Centre officially opened on February 1, 2011. This upgrade includes five additional rooms, including a casting room, new minor treatment area, and a gynecological treatment room. The third and final phase of the project is expected to be complete by fall 2011.

First Phase of Emergency Centre Officially Open      

The first phase of construction on the Vic's new Emergency Centre officially opened on September 10, 2010. Donors, government representatives, and staff were present for the announcement.

Emergency patients are now being cared for in a new 12,000 square foot space and a portion of the existing space. The next two phases of construction will continue in the existing department. The project is expected to be complete in fall 2011.

First Phase of Emergency Centre Construction to be Complete this Fall

The first phase of construction on the Vic’s new Emergency Centre is nearing completion, with staff preparing to move in

this fall.

“The flooring and wall painting are about 90 per cent complete,” said Victoria General Hospital President & COO Francis LaBossière. “It is exciting to see the development of a facility that will help us continue to provide high quality patient care to our growing community.”

This first phase of construction will see the Emergency department split into two main areas: 12,000 square feet of the new space and a portion of the existing space. The next two phases of construction will continue in the remainder of the existing department. Beginning this fall, the exterior main entrance to the new Emergency Centre will be located immediately east of the current ambulance bay.

Postoperative Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patientsto Receive Gold Standard of Care at the Vic

After just six months, the Vic’s new postoperative Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) room is complete. In order to accommodate the increase in Ear Nose Throat (ENT) and Bariatric surgeries under anesthesia, and the increased presence of sleep apnea in these patients, additional beds were needed to monitor OSA patients postoperatively.

This new room can accommodate up to six postoperative OSA patients at one time. Each patient will be constantly monitored and cared for by one dedicated nurse for 24 hours after their surgery.

“By offering continuous line of sight monitoring, combined with constant blood oxygen levels, the Vic is able to offer patients the gold standard in
postoperative care,” said Rayan Horswill-Tees, Manager of Patient Care. “We will be maximizing staff efficiency and hospital resources to provide our postoperative patients with the best possible care.”

In an effort to be proactive and ensure all patients receive the best possible care; this new space is equipped with a bariatric capable bathroom for any and all patients, no matter their size or special needs.

Two Operating Rooms to Receive Technological Upgrades in 2011

Two of the Vic’s existing operating rooms will soon be receiving their first major makeover since they were designed over 35 years ago. The rooms will be equipped with state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgery technology, including high-definition cameras, flat-panel monitors, and video conferencing equipment. “The benefits of minimally invasive surgery for patients are remarkable,” said Lanette Siragusa, Director of Surgery, Anesthesia & Women’s Health. “Patients experience less pain and scarring, fewer complications and less risk of infection, significantly reduced recovery time, and a quicker return to normal activities.” One of the new pieces of equipment that has been donated for the minimally invasive surgery suites is the Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) system. TEM allows for polyps and potentially cancerous growths to be removed using natural orifices. The Vic is the third site in Canada to use this groundbreaking technology that allows major bowel surgeries to be done as day surgery procedures without an incision. TEM also reduces the risk of complications for patients.     For more information on the operating room upgrades, please click here.