RICHMOND HILL, ON – Today, Mackenzie Health Foundation announced a $250,000 gift from TransCanada Corporation to the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign to help build and equip the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, slated to open in 2020.
For more than 65 years, improving communities has been part of the culture at TransCanada, addressing community-driven needs in the areas of safety, community, environment, education and training.
“As a company, we partner with organizations that allow us to play an active role in building healthy, vibrant and prosperous communities,” said Chris Breen, Vice-President, Public Affairs, TransCanada. “Investing in Mackenzie Health is a natural fit for TransCanada – we understand the need for critical community infrastructure and we know the impact the new hospital will have on the quality of life for the people who live here.”
TransCanada’s investment will support Mackenzie Health’s strategic focus on continuous learning, innovation and partnerships, according to Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health.
“Learning is at the heart of our commitment to our patients and our future,” says Stationwala. “At Mackenzie Health, relentlessly improving care means investing in continuous learning. When the new hospital opens in 2020, more than 4,000 staff and physicians, as well as patients and families and our entire community will have access to a world-class learning environment. ”
A plaque honouring the leadership and philanthropy of TransCanada Corporation will acknowledge the gift within the auditorium lobby of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital’s new Learning Centre. The Lobby area adjacent to the Courtyard will host symposia, lectures and instructional sessions.
Unique among Canadian community hospitals, the 14,000-square-foot Learning Centre will be a state-of-the-art hub for continuing education and clinician and staff development, comprised of the high-tech, multi-purpose Berwick Auditorium, clinical teaching laboratory, simulation laboratory, and conference and learning spaces. The Learning Centre, along with a 1,500 square-foot library dedicated to health information, will be prominently located on the campus of Canada’s first smart hospital.
“The ongoing construction of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is an example of what can be achieved when we work together,” said Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Co-Chair of the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign. “TransCanada has an extensive history of contributing to the prosperity of communities across Canada and we are very grateful for this transformational investment in our city. This generous gift to the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign not only demonstrates a sincere understanding of the benefits of a strong, healthy community, it is a great inspiration to other private and public-sector organizations to be trusted community partners and who want to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of all citizens.”
TransCanada’s donation comes as Mackenzie Health Foundation works to raise $250 million in community contributions toward the $1.6-billion total project cost to build the new hospital. To date, the campaign has raised more than $83 million of its campaign goal.
ABOUT MACKENZIE HEALTH
Mackenzie Health is a dynamic regional health care provider currently serving the communities of southwest York Region at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and through a comprehensive network of community sites in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Barrie. When completed in 2020, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will provide an additional 350 beds, 1,800 full-time staff positions and 100 physician specialists to Mackenzie Health.
Guided by a vision to create a world-class health experience, Mackenzie Health has an unrelenting focus on the patient and is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada. For more information, please visit mackenziehealth.ca
The Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign to help build and equip the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and enhance patient care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is the largest fundraising drive ever led by a community hospital in Canada. The $250-million campaign is being spearheaded by a dedicated 33-member campaign cabinet, co-chaired by Greg Sorbara, Chancellor of York University and the Hon., Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of the City of Vaughan.
Since 1977, Mackenzie Health Foundation has raised more than $142 million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities for Mackenzie Health. For more information, please visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca
ABOUT TRANSCANADA CORPORATION
With more than 65 years’ experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates one of the largest natural gas transmission networks that extends more than 91,900 kilometres (57,100 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is a leading provider of gas storage and related services with 653 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A large independent power producer, TransCanada currently owns or has interests in approximately 6,100 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is also the developer and operator of one of North America’s leading liquids pipeline systems that extends approximately 4,900 kilometres (3,000 miles), connecting growing continental oil supplies to key markets and refineries. TransCanada’s common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. Visit TransCanada.com to learn more, or connect with us on social media and 3BL Media.
-30-