PRINCE ALBERT The Sandra Schmirler Foundation is funding lifesaving equipment for the new neonatal intensive care unit in Prince Albert. On Thursday, the organization gave the Victoria Hospital Foundation (VHF) a $58,000 cheque. The money will be used to buy an infant ventilator, said the VHF. “The foundation’s dream is that all babies born too soon, too small or too sick will be cared for in a NICU equipped with state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment close to their homes, family and friends,” said Ian Cunnigham, chair of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, in a news release. The neonatal unit it set to open in the fall.
While on her obstetrics rotation at the Victoria Hospital, senior medical student Marcie Beaulac saw families dealing with fetal loss and stillbirth almost every time she was on call.
“That’s kind of when I realized how common and heartbreaking fetal loss is, and all of the staff feels the same way,” Beaulac said. “We wished that there was more that we could do for them in that time.”
Beaulac then came up with the Run the Rotary fundraiser, where she and colleagues would run the entirety of Prince Albert’s rotary trail to raise money to create a special room in the hospital to help families deal with fetal loss. The ‘Summer Room’ will be a renovated obstetrics room designed to be a private and peaceful space for grieving families, complete with a bathing station, cuddle cots, sofa bed, and other features.
Prince Albert Daily Herald
Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne speaks at the announcement for the new Prince Albert Hospital on March 6, 2020. (Peter Lozinski)
Tuesday’s announcement that the province hopes to begin construction on the expanded next year also highlights the upcoming involvement of two local organizations that will play a key role in the project moving forward.
One of those organizations is the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).
The tribal council was involved in the initial announcement last February and its work helping to guide the new facility was highlighted again Tuesday.
The province committed to working with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) on the facility’s design to ensure it is welcoming for all people, including the region’s large Indigenous population. In Tuesday’s press release, the province said it is establishing a senior PAGC committee with representation from the PAGC, SHA and Ministry of Health to collaborate and ensure appropriate i
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