Say hello to the new Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Surgical Centre
Phil Gaglardi was a minister and politician who was known for building roads – and relationships – across the province. His wife Jennie dedicated her life to the church as a minister and Sunday school teacher. In recognition of that incredible work, almost two decades after their passing, the Gaglardi family is leaving a legacy that will build the foundation for health care in the province for decades to come.
The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is the grateful recipient of a $25-million donation from the children and grandchildren of the late Phil and Jennie Gaglardi. The Gaglardis’ gift will go to the Future of Surgery Campaign to expand surgical services at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital.
The new Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Surgical Centre will be located in the Jim Pattison Pavilion. The new surgical suite is part of a $102-million project that includes 16 new state-of-the-art operating rooms, a 40-bed hospital unit for care before and after surgery, new communication systems to manage activities for health professionals across two operating floors and upgraded infrastructure.
16 new operating rooms
“The 16 new state-of-the-art operating rooms will ensure that VGH has the ability to meet the demand for surgical procedures from across BC for years to come,” says Dr. Marcel Dvorak, Associate Medical Director. “The ability to efficiently use these rooms will further our commitment to ensure our patients receive timely access for their emergency surgery, urgent procedures and the scheduled surgery that is so connected to maintaining healthy and active lifestyles.”
Will make a difference for patients
“This gift will make a difference in the lives of our patients,” says Barbara Grantham, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “Phil and Jennie Gaglardi contributed a tremendous amount to public life and community leadership in British Columbia. In recognition of their generous gift, we are naming the new surgical area at Vancouver General Hospital the Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Surgical Centre.”
“It is vital for our city and province to deliver progressive health care which is why we are investing in infrastructure at VGH, and the opportunity to help in this way really resonated with our family,” says Tom Gaglardi. “My grandparents were builders and ministers who derived their greatest joy from helping others. I can’t think of what could be more important than helping people from across BC in the new operating rooms at VGH.”
A broader strategy
As part of a broader strategy to improve patient access to surgery and reduce wait times, some surgeries traditionally performed at VGH are relocating to UBC Hospital. A new eight-bed high acuity unit will support more complex cases. Inpatient units will be enhanced and expanded to improve patient care.
“We really wanted to cement my grandparents’ legacy in an important Vancouver institution like VGH,” says Gaglardi. “We’re very fortunate to be in a position to be able to do something like this.”
Almost there
The fundraising goal for the Future of Surgery campaign – which includes both VGH and UBC Hospital – is $60 million. With the generous Gaglardi gift, we are two-thirds of the way there. The new VGH operating rooms will cost more than $100 million, with the BC government providing $35 million, VCH providing $48 million and our VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation contributing $20 million.
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