MONTREAL, March 28, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - A special event was held yesterday to recognize the commitment of donors who had contributed to the financing of the da Vinci Si 4th generation robotic system that was provided to the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) in 2011. The event was attended with great enthusiasm by the Fondation du CHUM and other members of the hospital community, including representatives of CHUM's Gynecology-Oncology and Urology Departments.
Attendees had the opportunity to experience this outstanding example of leading-edge medical technology, testing their surgical abilities on the robotic system's simulation console and comparing their efforts with professionals from various CHUM departments.
Very high quality care
The initiators of the project thanked all donors and others who have supported them in this endeavour. The project had been spearheaded by Dr. Diane Provencher, gynecological oncologist and clinical researcher; and Dr. Fred Saad, head of the Urology Department, medical director of the CHUM's interdisciplinary group in urologic oncology and holder of the Chair in Prostate Cancer at Université de Montréal.
"We are very pleased to have been able to count on the support of the community in acquiring the da Vinci robotic system," they said. "This enables us to offer our patients very high quality care, while reducing their recovery time."
Bringing hope to more patients
Since the arrival of the robotic system at the hospital in 2011, over 500 patients have benefited from the advances offered by this new ultra-precise and minimally invasive platform, the most advanced to date in laparoscopic surgery. It offers patients several advantages, including small incisions instead of large scars and significant reductions in post-operative pain, blood loss and hospital stays.
"It feels like they waved a magic wand," said Michelle Charland, CHUM patient who was operated on using the da Vinci system in July 2013. "I would like to thank the team that took care of me: I was so well supported and I'm very grateful to have benefited from such wonderful technology."
Other new avenues have also been explored at the CHUM, where for the first time in Quebec two patients with thoracic tumours recently underwent surgery using the da Vinci system.
Giving ourselves the best in healthcare
Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the Fondation du CHUM helps to make tangible improvements to the quality of life of the hospital's patients. Acquiring advanced equipment like the da Vinci Si is an integral part of its mission to contribute to the well-being of patients, who are at the heart of its commitment.
"I am very proud to see the entire community mobilize behind our campaign Giving ourselves the best in healthcare," said Yvon Deschamps, volunteer spokesperson for the Fondation. "We've already achieved more than 60% of our $300 million target and the future is looking bright! I would like to thank our donors for their exceptional generosity. Every donation makes a real difference in the lives of patients."
About the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) and its Foundation
The Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) offers ultra-specialized priority services to local and regional adult clients in all recognized medical specializations in Quebec. It is the principal hub of development and knowledge transfer through its integrated activities of care, teaching, research, assessment of health-related technologies and modes of intervention, as well as quality, health promotion and the patient experience. By 2016, the CHUM will provide a renewed hospital experience in its new facilities in downtown Montreal. The CHUM is an active member of the Réseau universitaire intégré de santé (RUIS) of the Université de Montréal. chumontreal.qc.ca
The Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) acts as a catalyst and a driving force behind the CHUM as it carries out its mission through a great many initiatives, fundraising activities (mailings, solicitation from individual donors, private foundations and businesses) and its capital fundraising campaign. Since 1998, it has turned over more than 102 million dollars to the CHUM thanks to the generosity of its donors. Whether it is a matter of purchasing state-of-the-art equipment, supporting research projects which lead to the development of promising treatment methods, helping to train tomorrow's medical specialists or underwriting the promotion of health, the funds raised contribute toward offering ever better care to patients. fondationduchum.com
Image with caption: "Michelle Charland, Dr Fred Saad, Dre Christiane Arbour, Dre Diane Provencher, Anne-Marie Lenghan, Dre Béatrice Cormier, Ékram Antoine Rabbat et Dr Kevin Zorn (CNW Group/Fondation du CHUM)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140328_C7631_PHOTO_EN_38470.jpg
SOURCE: Fondation du CHUM
Elodie Grange
Director, Communication and Marketing
Fondation du CHUM 514 890-8361
[email protected]
Raphaële Bourgon-Novel
Advisor, Communication and marketing
Fondation du CHUM 514 890-8077, ext. 36774
[email protected]
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