Largest donation in James Family Foundation history helps hundreds of adult receive assessments, treatment and support

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is pleased to share that adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms are now receiving specialized care, many for the first time in their lives, through the expanded Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Regional Adult ADHD Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH).The clinic’s creation, growth, and enhanced capacity have been made possible by a transformational $7.6 million donation from the James Family Foundation, the largest philanthropic gift in the Foundation’s history.

“This extraordinary gift is already changing lives,” said Angela Chapman, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “Thanks to the James Family Foundation, adults with ADHD are gaining increased access to the tools and resources they need to thrive. Philanthropy allows programs like this to take root, grow, innovate, and provide timely, life-changing support to more people across our communities.”

The VCH Regional Adult ADHD Clinic is one of Canada’s only publicly funded programs dedicated to adult ADHD. Initially established at Lions Gate Hospital, the clinic relocated to VGH in 2023 to support growing demand. Increasing capacity and strengthening clinical infrastructure has  positioned the clinic as a provincial leader in adult ADHD assessment and care. The clinic delivers coordinated multi-disciplinary care from psychiatrists, nurses, and allied health professionals, allowing adults to access evidence-based assessment and treatment planning, including medication initiation, stabilization, and education as well as an eight-week psychoeducational skills group in one place.

The clinic serves individuals aged 17 to 35 living within the VCH region who have suspected or unmanaged ADHD as well as other coexisting mental health disorders, and are attached to a primary care provider. Adults are referred through their family doctor or nurse practitioner. Alternately, adults can be referred by a primary care provider at an Urgent and Primary Care Clinic or Foundry centre.

Changing the trajectory of ADHD care

The James Family Foundation’s contribution represents an important shift to recognizing ADHD as a serious and often overlooked health condition that affects academic success, employment stability, family life, and mental health. Their support enables program stability, increased clinical staffing, and a sustainable foundation for continued research and innovation.

“As someone who has lived with ADHD throughout my life, I understand how important timely support can be,” said Darren James, a spokesperson for the James Family Foundation. “We are proud to help strengthen this resource for people living with ADHD, and our hope is that its success encourages others to get involved and helps spark efforts to expand this model across the province. We also hope the clinic’s remarkable progress highlights the ongoing need for sustained support so more adults can access the care they deserve.”

Demand for adult ADHD assessment and treatment has risen sharply in recent years as awareness improves and stigma decreases, yet services remain limited across Canada. ADHD affects an estimated four to six percent of adults, but publicly funded programs offering specialized assessment and treatment are rare. With its expanded capacity and team-based care model, the VCH Regional Adult ADHD Clinic supports earlier diagnosis, more consistent treatment pathways, and improved access for individuals who often spend years searching for answers.

Many undiagnosed adults with ADHD experience years of impairment without assessment because symptoms may present atypically, be masked through coping strategies, or be misdiagnosed as conditions such as anxiety or depression.

“Adults often come to us after years of feeling misunderstood or unsupported,” said Dr. Carolina Goldman Bergmann, Psychiatrist, Regional Adult ADHD Clinic. “With expanded capacity, we’re able to provide accurate diagnoses, individualized treatment, and the tools people need to navigate daily life with greater confidence and stability.”

The expanded clinic also supports broader system improvements by sharing tools, training, and clinical guidance with health providers across the region. This collaborative approach strengthens early intervention and long-term patient outcomes and strengthens best practice.

Clinic impact since expansion 

• Completed 339 physician assessments
• Discharged 305 clients back to primary care providers with treatment plans
• Delivered seven eight-week psychoeducational groups to a total of 65 participants

Understanding the scope of adult ADHD in Canada

• ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in Canada, affecting four to six per cent of adults and five to seven per cent of children, or approximately 1.8 million Canadians.
• At least 65 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD continue to be impaired by symptoms in adulthood.
• 46 percent of women were misdiagnosed with another disorder prior to being diagnosed with ADHD.

Source: Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada 

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to fuel groundbreaking research, world-class health care teams, and life-saving treatments benefitting everyone in BC. To donate, visit vghfoundation.ca/ways-to-give.