Last year there were over 86,000 visits by patients from all over the province to BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre on Oak Street in Vancouver: almost 6,000 for births; 4,000 for gynaecological surgical cases; 2,700 for obstetric surgical cases. BC Women's Health Foundation (BCWHF) supports the Hospital and the Women’s Health Research Institute towards making meaningful changes in women’s health in BC and beyond. Rotary Club of Ladner has donated $1,000 to this important cause for all of us in our community.
BCWHF CEO Cally Wesson and Manager, Engagement Cheryl Gipson, spoke to Rotary Club of Ladner members about the need to focus on the specific health needs of women, mothers and babies which until recent times were often not given the specialized attention in healthcare now understood and provided. Now the Hospital and Institute provide life-changing care and research in women’s and newborn health. These are some of the key areas of focus for the Foundation.
BC Women’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Care + Equipment: For the most critically ill and premature newborns who need intensive support, constant improvements in the BC Women’s NICU are critical. This includes the most advanced lifesaving technology and continual training for doctors and staff to give these babies a bright beginning.
Midlife Women’s Health: Women in midlife face daunting new health challenges. To help them navigate these challenges, this program will combine holistic research with real-time clinical care and will feature a referral clinic. This will lead to improved treatment options and better healthcare experiences.
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Mental Health Stabilization Program: For high-risk new moms struggling with mental health challenges, Canada’s first Mother and Newborn Mental Health Stabilization Program will provide essential inpatient care. This program will work alongside the pan-provincial Reproductive Mental Health Program for outpatients.
Women’s Research + Innovation: Research is critical to a future with groundbreaking treatments and innovative healthcare. With funding from BC Women’s Health Foundation, the Women’s Health Research Institute is igniting health research for women and newborns, making way for Good Things To Come.
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Richard Shantz and Brian Coe thank Cally Wesson and Cheryl Gipson with a donation in their names to The Rotary Foundation's global End Polio campaign | |
The Foundation supports BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre and Women’s Health Research Institute as the three organizations deliver innovative, world-class care to every woman and ensuring every newborn starts life with a bright beginning.