A rendering of the Lachine Hospital expansionBig dreams for a revitalized Lachine Hospital Tara Simonetta Mann March 15, 2022 1833 A new partnership will help Lachine Hospital raise funds for cutting-edge medical equipment. The Lachine Hospital Foundation has integrated with the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation to Dream Big for Lachine Hospital. Under one umbrella, the two foundations are increasing their impact on health care, starting with Dream Big: Lachine Hospital. This important campaign will raise $5 million to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the expansion of Lachine Hospital. “We are a small foundation. We decided to join forces with the MUHC Foundation because they have an expertise and are well established,” says Jacques Filion, President of the Lachine Hospital Foundation. Medical imaging technologists (L-R) Vandana Patel, Michael Valente and Alexandra Vaillancourt The hospital was last renovated in the 1990s, when we were using cassette tapes, floppy disks and the very first home computers. In the time between the birth of the World Wide Web and the smartphones that keep us constantly connected, Lachine Hospital has barely changed. Its staff are passionate about supporting the health of their community, and they need a modernized hospital to allow their expertise to shine. “We are all immensely proud of what’s to come. We are a small community hospital where the staff knows each other and there is a sense of belonging. This modernization will bring our hospital to the next level and will have all kinds of benefits for patients. We have waited for this for a long time,” says Dr. Manuel Perrier, an ophthalmologist at Lachine Hospital. Plans are now underway for a $210 million renovation and expansion of Lachine Hospital. To support the modernization of the hospital, the Lachine Hospital Foundation and the MUHC Foundation will raise $5 million to purchase new equipment not covered by government budgets. While the government is committed to providing quality care and standards in health care equipment, they do not budget for the newest, most advanced medical equipment. That’s where the foundations come in. The Dream Big: Lachine Hospital campaign will provide new equipment for a state-of-the-art intensive care unit, surgical suites equipped with cutting-edge technology, an expanded emergency room, a comfortable palliative care unit and the nursing unit. The current Lachine Hospital building will be renovated and expanded, making sure every patient has access to a modern hospital. A bigger hospital means greater care and comfort for patients and a healthier community. “We are thrilled with this new partnership to support excellence in care at Lachine Hospital,” says Julie Quenneville, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation. “Together, we will ensure that the surrounding population will have the modernized hospital they deserve.” The foundations are seeking the support of Lachine, Dorval and surrounding areas to help make their big dreams for Lachine Hospital come true. “With a project of this magnitude, there is an expectation that the community participates,” says Jacques Filion, President of the Lachine Hospital Foundation. “We are all responsible for the health of our community, and together we will raise $5 million to elevate the quality care provided at Lachine Hospital.” Founded in 1913, Lachine Hospital has provided compassionate care to its community for over a century. As part of the MUHC, it combines the friendly atmosphere of a community-based hospital with the renowned expertise and resources of the number one research hospital in Quebec. You can help us ensure Lachine Hospital has the tools to provide the very best care. To learn more about Dream Big: Lachine Hospital and to donate, visit https://muhcf.akaraisin.com/ui/Lachine Allowing the experts at Lachine Hospital to shine Dr. Manuel Perrier has been an ophthalmologist at Lachine Hospital for 17 years. In that time, he has restored the eyesight of thousands of patients. Dr. Manuel Perrier, ophthalmologist at Lachine Hospital. “Many patients don’t realize how bad their eyesight has gotten until after the surgery,” says Dr. Perrier. “Some of them haven’t driven a car in five years, or haven’t seen their grandchildren properly. When you hear patients expressing gratitude for what you’ve done for them, it’s very rewarding. It’s what makes me want to get up in the morning and come to work.” With the support of donors to the Dream Big: Lachine Hospital campaign, Dr. Perrier will have access to state-of-the-art equipment that will allow him to ensure his patients receive the highest quality care. Lachine Hospital is a designated centre of excellence in ophthalmology, a branch of medicine dealing with the eyes. Each year, the ophthalmology clinic sees 15,000 patients for a wide range of eye disorders and performs over 4,000 cataract surgeries. “Our clinic is over 30 years old now. The spaces are small and outdated. The renovation of Lachine Hospital and the new equipment provided by the Foundations will make a huge difference,” says Dr. Perrier. Your support of Dream Big: Lachine Hospital can help Dr. Perrier and his colleagues continue to provide life-changing care to the people of Lachine, Dorval and the surrounding communities.