On August 24, UBCH leaders rolled up their sleeves to serve staff ice cream and the latest scoop on the UBC Hospital Renewal Project.

“As usual, staff didn’t disappoint,” says Tracey Taulu, Operations Director for UBC Hospital (UBCH). “We had a line up stretching across the cafeteria patio and many staff stayed to take in the display of our renovation plans.”

When the new Leon Judah Blackmore Sleep Disorders Centre opened in Purdy Pavilion in July, the UBCH Renewal Project reached a milestone. Phase 1 is now complete and preparations for Phase 2 construction are underway.

Construction for Phase 2 will begin in October. This phase will focus on renewing Koerner Pavilion’s inpatient clinical space. Renovations on floors 1 and 2 will substantially enhance the inpatient units and include construction of an eight-bed High Acuity Unit.

Patient Services Managers Parm Pannun and Lilibeth Ocampo answered questions about the interior design and new floor plans at last week’s event. Reflecting staff and patient input, Phase 2 will transform Koerner Pavilion for the benefit of patients, families and staff.

“The feedback was extremely positive,” says Tracey. “People told us they loved the updated blue-and-white colour scheme, which has an airy and calming feel. It was wonderful to see staff excited by our plans.”

As for the ice cream, Tracey, Dr. William Henderson, UBCH Medial Site Leader, and Amina Ng and Lucy Yiu, Administrative Assistants, were kept busy. They served 58 litres — that’s 550 scoops — of the sweet stuff in just one hour!