November 4, 2015
Province Announces Families in St. James to Benefit from Ongoing Improvements at Grace General Hospital
– – –New Building to be Named After Local Philanthropists: Minister Blady
The Grace General Hospital is set to undergo an expansion that will add a new emergency department and specialized diagnostic equipment, housed in new buildings that will be named after local philanthropists Edward and Marjorie Danylchuk, Health Minister Sharon Blady announced today.
“We want Manitoba families to have the best medical care close to home,” said Minister Blady. “This expansion of the Grace will add more emergency health services in a state-of-the-art facility. It is a pleasure to recognize the Danylchuk family for their generous contribution towards the health-care services for families in St. James.”
The Danylchuks have donated $3.25 million to the Grace General Hospital for the Tomorrow’s Grace Capital Campaign, the largest individual contribution ever provided to a community hospital in Winnipeg. The minister noted the tender for the hospital’s expanded and modernized emergency department was released in late September and construction is expected to start by the end of 2015.
“Emergency departments play a vital role in the health system in Winnipeg. The new facility at Grace Hospital will provide the modern environment needed to improve access and efficiency in the emergency department, which continues to be a key priority for the region,” said Lori Lamont, vice-president of interprofessional practice and chief nursing officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “We are grateful to the Danylchuks for their contribution and dedication to helping us ensure the members of their community are receiving the right care in the right place and at the right time.”
The expansion will improve patient flow by adding a new triage area and a rapid-assessment zone in the waiting room to help doctors, nurses and other staff assess patient needs and treat patients more quickly, the minister said.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Danylchuk family and their unprecedented gift has assured the very best for those who come to the facility for care.” said Kellie O’Rourke, chief operating officer, Grace General Hospital. “The new emergency department and MRI suite will be transformative to our campus and represent the future of health care for our patients.”
Construction of a new, $10.5-million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner is ongoing, with this specialized diagnostic equipment expected to become operational in mid-2016, Minister Blady said. Once complete, the emergency department and MRI will be located in the newly named Edward and Marjorie Danylchuk Centre and MRI Building.
“The Danylchuks have been a fundamental part of the Grace for almost as long as I can remember. They are devoted and generous to our facility. But more than that, they care,” said Jeff Coleman, chair, board of directors, Grace Hospital Foundation. “This major gift is as big as their hearts, hearts which are always in the right place. This gift comes from a place of compassion and the spirit of helping those who are sick. I say on behalf of the board of directors that we are truly humbled by their special kindness.”
“We are proud to make this donation to Grace Hospital Foundation. The west end of Winnipeg is our home, and Grace General Hospital is essential to the health and wellness of the people in our community,” said Edward and Marjorie Danylchuk. “This gift is for our children and our grandchildren, and for everyone who relies on Grace Hospital to support their health-care needs. We feel privileged to be a part of the Tomorrow’s Grace Capital Campaign and the long-term future of Grace Hospital.”
The Danylchuks have been major donors to Grace Hospital Foundation for more than a decade, and have made previous contributions personally and through their various business ventures. Marjorie Danylchuk has been a member of the Grace Hospital Foundation board of directors for 12 years and the co-chair of the Grace Gala since 2012.
The minister noted the ACCESS Winnipeg West site on the Grace General Hospital campus is now fully reopened. Along with similar centres located across the city, ACCESS Winnipeg West provides a range of health and social services to the community including public health, speech language pathology, audiology, employment and income assistance, disability services for children, seniors health resources and home care services.
A new QuickCare Clinic is under construction in the St. James area to provide primary care options for families and help reduce wait times at the Grace Hospital, the minister said.
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