Sunshine Coast communities open their arms to new St. Mary’s facilities
Sunshine Coast staff and physicians were thrilled to see the opening of the new lobby and entrance way at St. Mary’s Hospital yesterday as a crowd of close to 100 gathered to celebrate the new showpiece of the hospital. Hosted by Sunshine Coast Director Lauren Tindall, the celebration highlighted the new lobby and the St. Mary’s Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary Gift Shop it houses as well as a new coffee shop and some spectacular First Nations art from Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) members.
The first phase, a new 5,400 square-metre tower, officially opened to the public in March 2013 and marked the first major expansion of St. Mary’s in 24 years.
“At the heart of this expansion was our desire to improve the patient experience,” said Wendy Hansson, chief operating officer. “As we move through the project, we’re really starting to see the benefits of the hospital renewal.”
“We’re so grateful to the Sechelt Indian Band for their generous gift of land so we could build this hospital for the communities of the Sunshine Coast,” says Donna Shugar, chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional Hospital District. Other Sunshine Coast supporters include the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation and the Hospital Auxiliary, both who were instrumental with their numerous fundraising campaigns that raised more than $2 million to purchase modern furnishings and pieces of equipment within the hospital.
“The Sunshine Coast community has demonstrated how very important our St. Mary’s Hospital is to each and every one of us,” says Gayle Bennett, president of the St. Mary’s Hospital/Health Care Auxiliary. “When we were asked to help equip our new building, this request was met with an outpouring of generosity.
“In the six short months since the new tower opened, I’ve heard many stories of the difference this modern, new facility is making in the lives of Sunshine Coast residents,” says Maureen Clayton, chair of the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. “The generosity of our many donors is a benefit to all of us and makes a huge difference—and the proof is right here in the new tower.”
