November 18, 2015
2015 Throne Speech Commits to Build New Pan Am Clinic for the Future: Premier Selinger
The Manitoba government and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority will work with the Reh-Fit Centre to create an innovative community health and wellness campus by relocating the Pan Am Clinic to a new facility at Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Manitoba families want even better health-care services and we need to make strategic investments now to build up these services for our growing population,” said Premier Selinger. “The Reh-Fit Centre focuses on health promotion and injury/illness prevention and rehabilitation, while the Pan Am Clinic focuses on treatment and rehabilitation. Bringing these two organizations together at the same location will create a one-stop-shop for your family’s health-care needs.”
The proposed new facility at Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue, to be built by the Reh-Fit Centre adjacent to its existing building, will house a new enhanced Pan Am Clinic. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) will sign a long-term lease for the new building and fund improvements to support Pan Am Clinic’s operations.
“The Pan Am Clinic and the Reh-Fit Centre are both innovative leaders in the delivery of specialized health services,” said Milton Sussman, president and chief executive officer, WRHA. “This new initiative will allow health service providers and medical researchers to work together to develop new and innovative ways to ensure the highest-quality care is available for patients.”
Having both facilities on the same site will allow the two organizations to work together to expand and enhance services for families like non-operative treatment and the management of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis and rehabilitation after surgery or injury, the premier noted.
“By connecting research, fitness and treatment, we believe we can make a difference for people who need our help,” said Dr. Wayne Hildahl, chief operating officer, Pan Am Clinic. “Working together, we will be able to expand and build capacity for the future so we can both provide the best possible care for Manitobans.”
The Reh-Fit Centre was Canada’s first certified medical fitness facility. It has successfully established long-term partnerships with hospitals and health-care organizations to offer innovative new specialized health-care programs.
“We are excited about welcoming a world-class clinic to our site and working with the Pan Am Clinic to expand on this exciting and mutually beneficial relationship,” said Sue Boreskie, chief executive officer, Reh-Fit Centre. “The clinic’s focus on musculoskeletal care will provide opportunities for us to augment and enhance the health promotion and fitness services we provide to our members and the community at large.”
The premier said the Reh-Fit Centre will explore opportunities to expand programs and services, as well as attract and house services offered by other health-care providers. He noted planning for the project is already underway.
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