Doctor Peter Black, Senior Research Scientist, Vancouver Prostate Centre & Associate Professor, Department of Urologic Services, University of British Columbia, with Stephen Sander, Founder, Hollyburn Properties, and wife Nancy

This is a guest blog post from the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, originally appearing on their website here.

Hollyburn Properties donation to help fund equipment at UBC Hospital and VGH

A $2 million donation from Hollyburn Properties, led by Stephen Sander, will go toward the upgrading of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at UBC Hospital and support the purchase of a new robot-assisted surgical system at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH).

“Hollyburn Properties is very proud to support residents and families across Vancouver with a donation towards new medical equipment, which will help provide care to people across all sectors of medicine and have an impact for many people no matter what their illness,” says Sander, founder of Hollyburn Properties as well as a patient at VGH & UBC Hospital. “We’re focused on the provision of essential services, and healthcare, like housing is important in supporting a vibrant and thriving community. This donation is a way for us to give back to the community that has supported us for over 40 years.”

A new surgical robot is welcomed at VGH, considering the current version it is using is about 10 years old. “By updating the surgical robotic technology which includes a console for a second surgeon, VCH (Vancouver Coastal Health) is positioned to further develop the areas where robotic technology provides value,” says Dr. Marcel Dvorak, Associate Medical Director, at VCH Robotic technology is used in a variety of surgeries including radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue) cardiovascular bypass surgery (to remove a blocked artery in the heart), and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and in some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes).

This type of surgery offers many benefits to patients, including the potential for reduced pain and discomfort and faster recovery times. “With this minimally invasive surgery, patients are often able to return to their normal activities quicker than if they’ve had open surgery,” says Dr. Peter Black, Senior Research Scientist, Vancouver Prostate Centre. “Patients experience less pain and require less pain medication, and are generally speaking, able to recover faster.”

In addition to the new robot, the money will be used for needed upgrades to the MRI and its room in Purdy Pavilion at UBC Hospital.

“This generous gift from Hollyburn Properties and Stephen Sander makes possible the purchase of technologically-advanced equipment that will improve patient care,” says Barbara Grantham, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “Investing in health care innovation benefits all British Columbians.”

For news releases and media coverage of the event, visit our Press/Media page. Event images below.

Barbara Grantham, President & CEO VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

Kip Woodward, Chair of the Board, Vancouver Coastal Health

Dr. Peter Black, Senior Research Scientist, Vancouver Prostate Centre & Associate Professor, University of British Columbia

 

Dr. John Mayo, Dr. Charmaine Kim-Sing, Mrs. Sander, Mr. Sander, Dr. Larry Goldenberg, Dr. Peter Black