A timeline of excellence

With your support, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation has been transforming health care in BC for over 40 years with over $1 billion in philanthropic funding. Join us as we look back at some of the vital projects your donations have supported.

Historic look back

1957
1957

The first open heart surgery in BC takes place at VGH.

The surgery was performed on an eight-year-old boy to great success.

1960
1960

Surgeons at VGH perform BC’s first ever organ transplant.

Today, more than 50 per cent of all life-saving organ transplants in the province happen here, saving more than 500 lives every year.

1978
1978

VGH becomes BC’s first hospital capable of assessing heart ventricle anatomy and function,

as well as performing cardiac biopsies with the arrival of Dr. Donald Ricci.

1980
1980

The first balloon angioplasty

is done in the VGH catheterization lab. This marks a new era of heart health care in the province.

1980

Vancouver General Hospital Foundation established

Ambulance purchase marks beginning of philanthropic impact.

1989
1989

Jack Bell Research Centre opens

Located next to VGH, this research centre became home to several impactful research programs including the Stone Centre, and Immunity and Infection Research Centre.

1990
1990

VGH becomes the first hospital in BC to adopt ECMO use

This life-saving technology allows a patient’s heart and lungs to recover by taking over heart and lung function itself, while still keeping other organs functioning.

1996
1996

Two catheterization labs open at VGH.

These labs enable medical teams to utilize diagnostic imaging equipment to visualize arteries and chambers of the heart to better detect and treat abnormalities.

1996

Catheterization Labs Open

Located in the then-named Laurel Pavilion (now Jim Pattison Pavilion), these labs enable the medical teams at VGH to utilize diagnostic imaging equipment to visualize arteries and chambers of the heart to better detect and treat abnormalities.

1998
1998

Vancouver Prostate Centre established

This dedicated group focuses on improving prostate cancer care and research, and grew into a world-class centre of excellence.

2000
2000

Ovarian Cancer Research program (OVCARE) established

OVCARE researchers would go on to make groundbreaking discoveries into subtypes of ovarian cancer, and introduce a global surgical standard of removing fallopian tubes during hysterectomies to curb ovarian cancer rates.

2003
2003

Jim Pattison Pavilion opens

459 new beds and modernized equipment added to VGH, increasing patient care capacity.

2006
2006

Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre opens

This centre brings together outpatient care services at VGH, including specialty clinics, medical education, physician teaching clinics and research, all at one site.

2007
2007

Jack the Robot, Western Canada’s first surgical robot installed at VGH

Affectionately named after philanthropist Jack Poole, Jack the Robot assisted in prostate, gynaecologic and heart surgeries at VGH.

2009
2009

Leslie Diamond Women’s Heart Health Clinic opens

A world-class clinic focusing on prevention and stopping progression of heart disease in women opens at VGH. It is the first program of its kind in Western Canada.

2010
2010

Dr. David Wood standardizes minimally invasive heart valve replacement technique called TAVR,

widely considered as one of the most exciting events in cardiology in decades. His advancements replace the typical open-heart surgery for all patients, greatly reducing recovery times and improving patient safety.

2010

Nursing bursary education awards established

Offering funding to support the future of nursing, these awards help further education, provide professional development and offer life-long learning opportunities, ultimately improving patient care for British Columbians.

2011
2011

Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre opens

The facility provides the space and equipment with a focus on research in early detection and prevention of disease.

2011

Robert & Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre opens

This community health centre provides a range of health services in a single location, including: public and community health, mental health and addictions, speech therapy, and more.

2012
2012

Pancreas Centre BC established

This centre is dedicated to advancing care for British Columbians with pancreatic cancer by making research discoveries that can rapidly translate to better treatments.

2012

Sports Cardiology Clinic opens

SportsCardiologyBC works to advance research, advocacy, education and patient care for athletes of all levels across BC.

2014
2014

Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health opens

Bringing together experts in the fields of neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, and rehabilitation in a hub for training, research, and clinical care.

2015
2015

Brain Bolt introduced at VGH

The first Brain Bolt is brought to VGH. It allows for careful monitoring to dramatically improve and personalize ICU care of patients with brain injuries.

2016
2016

The first Hybrid OR opens at VGH,

allowing surgeons to complete imaging instantly inside the operating room, optimizing safety and surgery times.

2016

UBC Hospital Cardiovascular Centre of Excellence Opens

Home to SportsCardiologyBC, Diagnostic Cardiology, SaveBC, the Jack and Elly Senior Cardiac Clinic and Neuro-Cardiology, the centre contains state-of-the art research labs with expert clinicians and investigators working collaboratively to advance scientific knowledge in cardiology and sport and exercise medicine.

2017
2017

Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre opens

The centre consolidates inpatient and outpatient services under one roof, providing clients with the treatment, programs and skills they need to resume life in the community.

2017

3M TAVR

Dr. David Wood unveils the 3M transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) surgical technique he helped pioneer. This reduces the need for open heart surgeries, reducing recovery time for patients from months to a just a few hours.

2018
2018

Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) opens at VGH

A renovated space to provide thoughtful support, the new PAU provides short-term assessment, stabilization and treatment services for individuals experiencing a psychiatric and/or mental health crisis.

2019
2019

Geropsychiatry and Rehabilitation Intensive Day (GRID) launched

The GRID program provides specialized therapeutic day programming to clients aged 65 and older living in the community who are frail, have active psychiatric symptoms and are at-risk of psychiatric hospitalization. GRID enhances the out-of-hospital supports for these clients, providing individual counselling and group therapy, in addition to social activation and peer-based assistance.

2020
2020

Foundation celebrates $1 Billion raised

Within seven years of reaching $500M, the Foundation proudly achieves $1B in philanthropic funding. This support greatly benefits all British Columbians by transforming health care, and saving lives.

2021
2021

Doctors at VGH perform the first double lung transplant in Canada for a COVID-19 patient,

whose lungs were devastated by the disease. New and ongoing research and treatments for severe COVID-19 reactions are still being treated in our ICU.

2021

The Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Surgical Centre opens.

This remarkable achievement marks the opening of 16 new ORs and a 40-bed perioperative care unit.

 

Vital Magazine home