The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation is proud to announce that it has approved over $7.275-million of funding for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in 2023/24.
This is the Foundation’s largest amount ever – and brings its total grants funding to the Hospital in the past four years to over $21-million. The ongoing generosity of donors and success of the Thunder Bay 50/50 mean more dollars coming in so that more grants can be approved for vital equipment and improvements needed at our Hospital.
Departments throughout the Hospital applied for grants to buy new equipment and replace or upgrade essential equipment so they can improve on the exceptional care provided to patients. The grants will improve care locally and in some regional communities.
“Equipment that would have taken years to fundraise for is being funded now, allowing us to Do More, Faster for the patients in Thunder Bay and the Northwest region”, says Parker Jones, Chair of the Foundation Board. “Normally it would take years to fundraise for the $2-million replacement of our oldest Cardiac Cath Lab, but thanks to our amazing community support, it will be open and fully operational in early January. Likewise the phase one $3-million redevelopment of our Emergency Department will be able to happen sooner.”
In total, 35 grants ranging from $3,000 to over $2.8-million were approved to be funded by the Foundation. They will benefit all areas of the Hospital. Some of the grants include:
The remaining $1,018,900 to fund the replacement of a Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab which consists of a C-arm, patient table, and control station. This replacement/ upgrade will offer the latest technology including integrated systems for more streamlined procedures.
- $2.8-million towards phase 1 of the Emergency Department redevelopment project.
- $268,925 for production of Prostate Cancer Specific Drug by the Cyclotron & Radiopharmacy Facility.
- $250,000 towards the new PET/CT project renovations.
- $191,040 for various instruments for the operating rooms for cataract, orthopaedic, and urology surgeries.
The grants benefit both our local community and regional communities where our programs extend to other hospitals in Northwestern Ontario. Grants have been approved for cancer program equipment and enhancements in Marathon, Terrace Bay and Sioux Lookout.
“We are grateful to our donors and the work of the Health Sciences Foundation in establishing these grants,” says Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President & CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “The use of these contributions will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment that is vital to providing safe, quality care. The funds will also allow us to upgrade our care areas and provide a better care experience that is patient and family centred. We thank you for furthering our vision and our commitment to providing world-class acute care that is exceptional for every patient, every time.”
For a complete list of approved grants, please see the attached PDF.