VCH CEO Dr. David Ostrow with chair Kip Williams and COO Mary Ackenhusen.
“I’m proud to say that VCH is truly an innovator in the way that way that it provides care,” VCH CEO Dr. David Ostrow said, just before showing the blue-tinted photo of Tru-D, an innovative robot at VGH that kills harmful bacteria with ultra violet light.
Dr. Ostrow said this to an audience of about 80 members of the public and VCH last Wednesday night at the quarterly Board of Directors Forum. Held at the Hellenic Community Centre, the meeting and discussion provided another engaging opportunity for the public to hear updates on VCH activities as well as present any questions to the VCH board.
VCH updates
On top of the world-famous Tru-D, the public forum presented news on a number of VCH projects including a new mental health wing at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sechelt, new hospice services, a new health services strategy for the Downtown Eastside, as well as a successful HIV and AIDs testing initiative. Along with Dr. Ostrow at the front of the room, was VCH board chair Kip Woodward, VCH chief operating officer Mary Ackenhusen as well as other VCH staff.
Opportunity to talk
Following the updates, the floor was opened up to the public, allowing anyone in attendance to ask questions. While the topics ranged from hospice care to preventative health measures, a majority of inquiries were related to the Rainier Hotel, a Downtown Eastside project for at-risk or homeless women whose funding from Health Canada ended recently. People who approached the VCH panel included a former Eastside resident whose daughter lives at the Rainier Hotel, a man who owns and operates a half-acre farm that employs Eastside residents and women as well as minister who works with some of the women at the hotel.
To watch the entire forum, click here.