(SASKATOON) May 13, 2005 – Royal University Hospital (RUH) Celebrated its 50th Anniversary today with a Special Celebration Ceremony held in the Mall Area at RUH.
The event was attended by approximately 100 dignitaries, staff, university leaders, and public. The program included words from Her Honour Dr. Lynda Haverstock; the Honourable John Nilson, Minister of Health; Darlene Eberle Saskatoon Regional Health Authority Chair; Peter McKinnon, President, University of Saskatchewan; Adrienne Nolan, RUH Foundation; and Dr. Louis Horlick, who attended the official opening of University Hospital 50 years ago, and reflected on the life of RUH to date. Following the program, tea and refreshments were served in the RUH staff cafeteria.
The University Hospital was officially opened May 14, 1955, by Premier T. C. Douglas. The opening of the University Hospital meant a first-class hospital facility with diagnostic equipment and laboratories was now linked with the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Medicine to deliver a comprehensive health program.
Today RUH serves as a leader in providing acute-care services for the province. Royal University Hospital’s integrated service delivery encompasses everything from Family Medicine to very specialized care including Cardio Sciences, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and obstetrics to name a few.
Lieutenant Governor Haverstock says, "The visionary and dedicated people of Saskatchewan have pioneered countless revolutionary ideas, particularly in the field of healthcare. The Royal University Hospital is part of this proud tradition; its staff and volunteers have served our citizens with expertise and compassion for five decades, and it is a vital training centre for Canadian healthcare professionals."
Health Minister John Nilson says, "Two of the Health Department’s top priorities are to strengthen the hospitals of the province and to retain and attract quality health care practitioners. With that in mind, I am proud to affirm our continued support for this facility and the health care innovations and training that take place here.
Darlene Eberle, Saskatoon Regional Health Authority Chairperson says,"Royal University Hospital stands as a testament to the hard work of our physicians, over 3,100 staff members and 390 volunteers. The contributions made by the ‘people of RUH’ are many and varied."
Last year RUH handled over 47,000 emergency department visits compared to just 4,500 in 1957. In the previous year over 3,800 babies were born at RUH, compared to just over 1,000 in 1957. Over 11,000 MRI examinations and over 18,000 CT exams were performed. There were 129,058 patient days used by adults, children and newborns last year. (This number indicates the number of days patients were hospitalized, not the number of patients who were hospitalized. For example a patient who was hospitalized for three days would count as one patient, using 3 patient days.)
On an average day, 2,000 dishes are washed in the RUH hospital’s kitchen. Each year over two and a quarter million pounds of laundry are used at RUH. In an average year 125,000 X-Ray films are taken here, and over one million medication doses are dispensed by the Pharmacy.”
The Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) is one of the most integrated and complex health delivery agencies in Canada. It is the largest Health Region in Saskatchewan, with a staff of over 11,000 members and 700 physicians serving close to 300,000 residents in more than 100 towns, cities and rural municipalities. SHR has been ranked by Maclean’s Magazine, as one of the top health regions in Canada for five consecutive years.
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For more information, please contact:
Marielle Gauthier
Corporate and Public Affairs Adviser
Saskatoon Health Region
(306)
655-3389
Saskatoon Health Region
"Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service."
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