MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
September 28, 2011
London Health Sciences Centre Opens New State-of-the-Art Hospital Facility
LONDON, ON –At a special ceremony attended by close to 1000 guests, the new North Tower at London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Victoria Hospital was officially opened on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. Hospital staff, physicians, donors, government officials and members of the community filled the new auditorium to capacity, with hundreds of people in the atrium watching the event on video screens.
“The completion of the North Tower is a significant milestone for London Health Sciences Centre. Guests at the event have shared with me how moving and memorable this ceremony was to them and it was truly a special moment that none of us will ever forget,” said Bonnie Adamson, LHSC President and CEO.
The state-of-the-art facility is home to many of Victoria Hospital’s programs and services, as well as those of Children’s Hospital and the Grace Donnelly Women’s Pavilion.
“Thank you to the numerous LHSC teams and the many other external contributors for your support, commitment and hard work,” said Peter Johnson, LHSC Board Chair.
During the opening event, the North Tower time capsule was sealed by Bonnie Adamson and Peter Johnson, Board Chair. Each program that calls the North Tower home has contributed unique and inspiring items for the capsule that are representative of this point in time. The capsule is to be opened in 50 years on September 27, 2061.
As a surprise element, members of the Amabile Choir of London closed the ceremony by singing “What a Wonderful World.”
“The opening of the North Tower represents the future of acute care delivery in London and the region and provides a new backdrop for the realization of LHSC’s vision of exceptional experiences, extraordinary people and engaging partnerships,” said Adamson.
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been in the forefront of medicine in Canada for 136 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, South Street Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, a joint research initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care, London. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 50 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in Southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
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For media inquiries contact:
Laura Tyrrell
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 75724
Laura.Tyrrell@lhsc.on.ca
After-hours assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call
