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Boundary Trails Health Centre and Southern Health representatives are celebrating the addition of a new heliport coming to the hospital between Morden and Winkler.

Irene Krahn and family have completely funded the $350,000 project in memory of late husband and father Ed Krahn, allowing air ambulance services to more quickly transfer patients into hospital care. In the past, STARS crews had to land in a grassy area beside the facility which was subject to the elements like snowfall and muddy conditions after heavy rains.

BTHC Foundation Chair Grant Thiessen says it’s been a journey discovering the magnitude of the project and the generosity of the Krahn family. Originally, Thiessen says they were prepared to raise funds for a portion of the total cost only to learn the family was covering the entire bill.

“We were getting ready to do whatever was left,” Thiessen explains, adding they’ve informed the additional donors their support can now be moved to other projects.

“It’s awesome, it speaks to our community, and the people that are in our community, and their generosity and their vision for the needs in the area,” Thiessen says.

Southern Health CEO Jane Curtis explains the heliport will make a difference for the region, “it will be a lasting legacy for this family… knowing people will get the timely care that they need.”

She explains a heliport is a major boost for a hospital.

“It’s time… when people’s lives are at stake every second counts,” Curtis says. “It makes a huge difference.”

The heliport is expected to be finished before winter 2019.

Related story: Local Resident Donates $350K For Hospital Heliport https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/local/local-resident-donates-350k-for-hospital-heliport

*Photo courtesy Boundary Trails Clinical Teaching Unit*

More surgeries can be booked, sooner, at Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) with the addition of a $100,000 laparoscopic tower.BTHC now employs a second $100,000 laparoscopic tower thanks to the support of the Foundation and Enbridge. “It’s not a small ticket item,” O’Byrne says.

The additional operating room equipment was made possible thanks to fundraising efforts from the BTHC Foundation, and $50,000 in supp

ort from Enbridge.

BTHC Clinical Services Manager Martin O’Byrne explains the equipment gives doctors a live feed while in surgery.

“It allows us to run more surgeries, we’re not fighting over one laparoscopic tower that’s specialized for looking inside a patient witho

ut opening them up,” O’Byrne says.

Two towers mean two operating runs, “which has really increased our patient flow and the ability to do more surgeries… it’s been a real asset.”

In the past, staff had to juggle surgery dates to accommodate when the sole laparoscopic tower was booked.

He notes it’s all thanks to the generosity of local BTHC Foundation supporters and the grant from Enbridge.

“Quality health care is important to all of us and Enbridge applauds the important work of the Boundary Trails Health Centre Fou

ndation in supporting initiatives that this facility needs, including this state-of-the-art laparoscopic surgical equipment,” Enbridge’s Andrew Plett says.

 

He notes the contribution of $50,000 was part of a special community investment fund set aside under Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline replacement project. “We’re proud to be able to support the purchase of this important ‘wish list’ item for the Boundary Trails Health Centre.”

“The community has supported us from everything from the small items to the really large items and it’s always very welcome and appreciated. I can say this on behalf of my colleagues… we are very, very grateful for their contributions,” O’Byrne says. “At the end of the day, it’s our patients that benefit because we have the equipment available.”

Written by Steven Sukkau

The Rhineland Low German Drama Group made the presentation April 17. Director Tina Peters (far left) says the Low German drama troupe has been a long-running tradition in the community. “You can tell the same joke in English but it just doesn’t have the same kick to it.”

The popularity of the Rhineland Low German Drama Group productions often means standing-room-only. However, the cast wanted to share their success with the Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) Palliative Care Program.

The group made a donation of $4,100 last week, the surplus from their latest spring event.

Director Tina Peters explains a number of cast members had family who received care from the Palliative Car Program and wanted to give back. “It’s a small way of saying thanks… it makes end-of-life care easier for family.”

BTHC Foundation Executive Director Shannon Samatte-Folkett explains the support was a welcome surprise. “It’s hard to raise funds… for them to raise $4,100, I know the work that goes into that so we appreciate it that much more.”

“It’s great to hear how impactful the Palliative Care Program is,” Samatte-Folkett adds.

The Palliative Care program at BTHC also includes 2 part-time nurses, a part-time Volunteer Coordinator and approximately 40 volunteers.