Peterborough Regional Health Centre Announces the Opening of New Donor-Funded Interventional Radiology Suites

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced the completion of a $6 million investment campaign in interventional radiology on Tuesday afternoon.

(From left to right) Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, Interventional Radiologist; Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO and Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO. Photo by Felicia Massey.

The event marked another milestone in the $70 million campaign to bring cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive care closer to home for Peterborough City and County patients.

The PRHC Foundation members and PRHC's leadership team thanked donors for making this advancement possible through their continued generosity.

“This is a transformative moment for patient care at PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “These world-class suites are already changing lives. Because of donor generosity, PRHC's interventional radiology experts have the advanced tools and space they need to perform even more complex, minimally invasive procedures right here, while innovating for the future.”

All photos by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

PRHC said there are five interventional radiologists at the hospital on a 24/7 rotation, performing more than 6,000 procedures annually. They continue to state that they are equipped to care for 20 to 25 patients suffering from critical conditions such as cancer, stroke, organ failure, bleeding and trauma with this expansion of its two existing IR suites. This included replacing out-of-date equipment and creating a third suite for rapid, high-demand procedures. The preparation and recovery area was also expanded to accommodate four additional patients, bringing capacity from 10 to 14.

“Interventional radiology is the future of medicine. Using real-time imaging technologies such as CT, X-ray and ultrasound, we perform procedures through a tiny incision, using only needles, wires and catheters,” said Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, Interventional Radiologist at PRHC. “This means less pain, fewer complications and shorter hospital stays compared to conventional surgery.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has announced the opening of new donor-funded interventional radiology suites 🧑‍⚕️ #PTBOCanada #PRHC #peterboroughontario ♬ Meridian - ODESZA

“The three interventional radiology suites, the step-down unit and the prep and recovery area were entirely funded by the donors here today,” said Heighway. “Bringing this to fruition is a really big celebratory moment for the foundation and for the physicians who work here everyday.”

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Calls On Province of Ontario to Fund Hybrid Operating Room

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) urgently requested funding for a hybrid operating room in the Level 2 Vascular Centre as they addressed the Province of Ontario during a Pre-Budget Consultation on Friday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PETERBOROUGH REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE.

Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC’s President and CEO, says the hospital should already have a hybrid operating room in accordance with the Ontario Health standard.  

“We do more than 1,000 vascular procedures each year, and nearly three quarters of our patients come from outside of Peterborough City and County,” she said. “But our vascular operating room is not properly equipped. According to standards set by Ontario Health, we need a hybrid operating room.”

In 2017, PRHC identified the construction of a hybrid operating room as a key priority for the 600,000 patients it serves across the region. In 2019, the hospital began self-funded construction costing $21 million to create space for several regional program expansions, including the hybrid operating room. Mikula reports that the hospital has been waiting years for approval and the $10 million in funding needed to build the hybrid operating room.

Vascular surgeons perform procedures essential to the hospital's cancer care, dialysis and cardiac programs. According to the PRHC, this time-sensitive care can often require multiple surgeries. A hybrid operating room allows specialized teams to perform multiple open and minimally invasive procedures on the same patient, on the same day, in the same room.

“We’re still unable to provide the appropriate level of care for a Level 2 Vascular Centre, meaning we need to send more complex patients further from home to get the care they need,” said Mikula. “Last year alone, nearly 200 patients were sent to other centres for procedures we should have been able to do at PRHC. This puts our patients and our vascular program at risk.”

PRHC says that Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP noted at the committee proceedings that establishing a hybrid operating room at the hospital requires a comparatively small investment by the Ministry of Health, as the space and the equipment are already funded by the hospital and the PRHC Foundation, which have committed to raising $6 million toward the project as part of the $70 million campaign.

“We believe that in the context of hospital capital projects, which now tend to run into the billions of dollars, that a $10 million ask would be a huge win for a relatively very small price tag,” said Mikula. “This investment will yield a huge leap forward in vascular care for our patients, and it’s what my colleagues and I need to do our job to the best of our abilities. It will help us save lives.”

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Emergency Department Launches Online Wait-Time Clock

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has launched an online Emergency Department (ED) wait-time clock that provides real-time estimates of how long it may take to be seen by a physician.

File photo.

“Patients and families are already experiencing stress and uncertainty when they come to the ED,” said Dr. Nicole De Francesco, PRHC chief of emergency medicine. “By sharing wait time information in real time, we’re making a difficult moment a bit easier for people, improving their hospital experience by providing more and better communication to help them understand what they can expect.”

PRHC’s ED sees more than 75,000 visits annually, meaning a new patient arrives every seven minutes according to a press release. Pressures on the Emergency Department have continued to grow over the last decade, with rising demand for emergency services outpacing capacity said De Francesco.

“Our team in the Emergency Department has worked hard over the last few years on initiatives to reduce wait times, hospital admissions, and patient length-of-stay,” she said. “With the support of leaders and staff across the hospital, these efforts have already achieved incredible successes – which have largely been absorbed by the system pressures we are seeing in terms of patient volumes, complexity and acuity.”

The clock contains up-to-date information on how long it may take to be seen by a physician for an initial assessment.

“While the work has had excellent results, the improvements the team has made are helping us to manage the growth we’ve been seeing – but not to get ahead of the curve,” added Dr. De Francesco. “Our work in these priority areas will continue as we invest in new initiatives to improve the care we provide.”

PRHC reminds patients in the emergency department are always seen based on the urgency of their condition and not their time of arrival. Patients with more serious conditions will always be treated first. Wait times can change quickly and unexpectedly due to new or more urgent emergencies.

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Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival Raises Record-Breaking Amount of Over $400,000 For PRHC Foundation

The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival organizing committee and the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team have raised a record-breaking $400,104.01 for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHC) in support of cancer care on Monday morning.

The 24th Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival took place on Little Lakeon June 14 with 73 teams and over 1400 paddlers in attendance. The Festival’s cumulative total is over $4.9 million for breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment for the PRHC Foundation.  Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This is the second-straight year that a new record for funds raised has been set. The festival has successfully raised more money than in the past year in at least three consecutive campaigns. In 2024, $312,025.18 was raised, $1290,025.18 in 2023 and $202,268.41 in 2022.

“I am in awe of the community’s enthusiasm, generosity and desire to make such a big difference for our hospital, our community and the people we love,” said Michelle Thornton, Festival Chair.  “Over 3,725 donations were made by individuals this year, ranging from $5 to $5,000 and every single one of them helped us smash our goal.”

Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO, said she could not be more grateful for this year’s Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival success and its record-breaking efforts this year.

“Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival continues to break records and show what’s possible when a community comes together for a cause that touches us all,” she said. “The money raised through this incredible event will help bring cutting-edge technology like digital pathology to PRHC for the first time.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival organizing committee and the Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team have raised a record-breaking $400,104.01 for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation in support of cancer care. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #dragonboatfestival ♬ LEVEL UP - Bazanji

In August, the PRHC Foundation announced that it had extended its fundraising goal of $60 million to $70 million. Since that announcement, over $55 million has been raised towards the campaign.

“With cancer diagnoses on the rise, this state-of-the-art advancement will mean PRHC’s care teams can provide faster, more accurate diagnoses and begin treatment sooner,” explained Heighway. “This outstanding fundraiser is possible because of the passion, dedication and generosity of everyone involved, from the paddlers to the donors, sponsors, volunteers, the Survivors Abreast dragon boat team and Festival organizers.”

“Some of you are here for your first time, witnessing the results of our collective efforts. I hope you realize just how much of an impact your contribution, big or small has made,” said Thorton. “Because of you and our combined efforts, someone’s cancer will be caught early and receive the best possible outcome.  Because of you someone won’t have to travel for their treatments and they won’t incur those additional expenses.  Because of you, someone will be able to stay close to their friends and family, during one of their most challenging times. You make a real difference, whether you know it or not and the value of that is immeasurable.”

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Peterborough Lakers Fundraising Campaign Gets $15,484.50 For PRHC Foundation

Through a partnership established in May, the Peterborough Lakers have raised $15,484.50 for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation in a cheque presentation held at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday afternoon.

(From left to right) Len Powers, Lakers board member; Lesley Heighway, PRHC president and CEO; Randy Manning, Lakers Advisor and Pete Dalliday, Lakers director of community engagement. The Lakers lost to the Six Nations Chiefs 4-1 in the best-of-five series in the MSL Finals. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign encompasses the technology and equipment used in the hospital, according to Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO.

“The whole $70 million campaign is about equipment and technology,” she said. “There's a number of a different priorities within our campaign but every dollar raised is going toward the campaign.”

Throughout the MSL season, the Lakers sold limited-edition Lakers merchandise, held auctions and held a special PRHC Family Night on June 26 to help raise money.

“There's a saying, ‘The best hospital exists in the most generous communities,’ and that's absolutely true,” explained Heighway. “We're very fortunate to have a very generous community stepping behind this campaign and really helping propel care forward for decades to come.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers have raised $15,484.50 for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation during their partnership this season. The funds help PRHC go towards technology and equipment and attract top healthcare professionals. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #peterborough ♬ Fighters - OctaSounds

In addition to the $15,484.50, Kawartha Smart Homes surprised the PRHC foundation with a $1,300 donation, five dollars for every goal scored by the Lakers this season.

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Second Annual Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser Announced to Benefit PRHC Foundation

Mayor Jeff Leal is back on the links as he invites the public to join his second annual Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament on Sept. 8 at Kawartha Golf Club, announced on Thursday morning.

(left to right) Nigel Lister, Regional Manager, Market Development of Cambium Inc; Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president; Blake Ulrich, Head Golf Professional at Kawartha Golf Club and CEO and Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor. Leal is displaying his putting prowess in a demonstration at his press conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), where its Foundation is this year’s recipient of the proceeds.

“I was faced with a cancer diagnosis two years ago but I’m cancer-free today because of the swift and effective care I received right here in our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We must ensure that PRHC has all the resources they need to continue to provide the best quality care for the residents of our City and Region. That’s why I have chosen to support the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC, with the proceeds of the second annual Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament helping to reimagine healthcare in our region.”  

“We’re grateful to Mayor Jeff Leal for supporting the Campaign for PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “We recently announced an ambitious expansion of our campaign goal from $60 million to $70 million. It’s a bold step that reflects the growing and urgent healthcare needs in our region. Support from community-driven events like the Mayor’s invitational are vital to helping bring innovative, life-changing care to patients in our region.” 

@ptbo_canada The second annual Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament is on Sept. 8 to support the PRHC Foundation. ##ptbocanada##ptbo##peterborough##journalism##journalist##news##fyp ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The day will include a round of golf, lunch and dinner.

Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m., followed by opening remarks at 12:30 p.m. The shotgun start is at 1 p.m. with dinner to follow at the end of the round.

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PRHC Foundation Unveil $1.5 Million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit Courtyard to Support Mental Health Patients; Expansion of Campaign Extended to $70 Million

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has unveiled and celebrated the opening of its $1.5 million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) courtyard to support the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients, announced on Wednesday morning.

The hospital also announced the expansion of its $60 million fundraising campaign to $70 million.

From left to right) Jen Taylor, PRHC VP of finance and corporate services; Jennifer Cox, PRHC mental health and addictions director;Dr. Rajasekar Baskar, PRHC Chief of Psychiatry and Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“This is a transormative memont for mental health care at PRHC and a wonderful example of how your donations can make a positive difference in the lives of patients, who could be your family, friends or neighbours,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “This space changes where patients heal, which changes how they heal.”

The courtyard was purely donor-funded and is uncommon in Ontario hospitals and PRHC has been reached out about its idea and functions according to Heighway.

“Some of the work that happens here is truly remarkable and groundbreaking,” she explained. “The team, since announcing this courtyard, has had inquiries from some major hospitals in the Toronto marketplace where their PICU patients don't yet have access to the outside.”

PRHC says the courtyard’s features include:

• Colourful native vegetation to attract butterflies, a natural aid for mindfulness

• Seating areas in different configurations that offer patients solitude when they need it and space to visit with care providers and loved ones

• Open gathering areas for group activities and social connection

• A shaded area to accommodate those who are sensitive to sunlight due to their treatments

• A colourful, tactile recreation surface

The courtyard’s use will occur in the coming days.

“The courtyard is a game-changer, for which we’re incredibly grateful,” said Jennifer Cox, PRHC mental health and addictions director. “Until now, PICU patients had no access to outside, even during stays that could last weeks or months. This secure outdoor treatment space is not only safe and dignified but healing. It allows our patients to engage in mindfulness, movement and connection with others and their environment in ways that improve health, wellness and their quality of care.”

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has unveiled and celebrated the opening of its $1.5 million Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit courtyard to support the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp ♬ Valse - Evgeny Grinko

During the ceremony, Heighway announced that the original $60 million fundraising campaign — announced in June last year — has been extended to $70 million. PRHC has already raised $55 million and extended it to fund future projects by no later than December of 2027 but could finish in March of the same year.

With the expansion of the fundraising goal comes new projects including a digital command centre that would operate like a triage but in a broader sense, similar to air traffic control for the hospital, according to Heighway.

“It's making sure that the right patient gets the right in the right spot,” she said. “It helps with hospital efficiency, it helps with faster turnaround times for test results, easier access to care so this is the entire digital realm of the hospital all being integrated under one hub, in one physical location.”

Other projects and ideas are in the works but were not disclosed to the public at publication of this article.

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A3 and A16 Lions Clubs Raise Over $100,000 For Pediatric Cancer Care at PRHC

Lions Clubs from Districts A3 and A16 with 21 Clubs from across the two Districts, have collectively raised more than $100,000 in donations to the Foundation’s Campaign for Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Representatives from Lions Club Districts A3 and A16 as well as individual Clubs present PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway (front right), with a donation of $100,000 in support of the Campaign for PRHC and the expansion of the pediatric cancer care clinic at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation.

According to a press release, the money supports the construction of an expanded, purpose-built pediatric cancer clinic space at the hospital, meeting the growing needs of young patients close to home. The Lions’ donation meets the PRHC Foundation’s fundraising goal.

“It’s so exciting to be together here today to recognize the wonderful achievement of your collective pledge in support of the pediatric cancer clinic space at PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “We’re incredibly grateful for your commitment to your community, your regional hospital and the care of childhood cancer patients, and all the efforts it took to make this generous donation possible.”

Districts A3 and A16 and the following Clubs made contributions to the Lions for Pediatric Cancer Care initiative: Bobcaygeon District, Brighton, Campbellford, Chemung Lake, Bridgenorth & Ennismore District, Coboconk & District, East Peterborough, Fowlers Corners & District, Haliburton & District, Havelock, Keene, Kendal, Kinmount & District, Lakefield & District, Lakefield Village, Lindsay East & District, Marmora Crowe Valley, Millbrook & District, Norwood, Oakwood & District, Peterborough, and Stirling & District.

“The Lions’ childhood cancer focus came about because of a lack of services and care for kids with cancer in other countries,” said Lion Christine Weerdenburg, District A16 Chair for childhood cancer. “Now, we are very fortunate to be able to help support cancer services and care here. We want to do whatever we can to make a child's care easier. When we ask the Clubs for their support, they do everything they can to make it happen. District A16 and A3 are an amazing bunch of Lions who serve.”

“Not only has it been an honour to have been a part of this campaign, but it's also been a wonderful opportunity and learning experience to work with the many Clubs in District A3 and the organizing Club in District A16.” said Lion Lydia Elliott, District A3 Chair “The overall response from all the members has been spectacular and we’re thrilled that we’ve met our goal before the expected deadline.” She continued, “All the participating Clubs in both Districts A3 and A16 should be proud of their efforts in making this initiative for the much-needed expansion to pediatric cancer care very successful.”

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Roof Replacement Work Underway Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Construction work at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) to replace the roof is underway.

File Photo.

This project is expected to be implemented in phases over several years and will temporarily impact the hospital site and the surrounding area during this period. The first phase began on Monday and PRHC expects it to last approximately 14 weeks.

Patients, visitors and others who are on or around the hospital site should expect the following:

• Standard construction-related noise during work hours (typically Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

• A noticeable increase in the presence of contractors, work vehicles and delivery trucks

• During specific phases of this project, mild odours related to roofing materials may be noticeable. We are working with our suppliers to reduce the impact of odours as much as possible.

Designated work zones will be marked during this time.

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PRHC Increasing Parking Rates Effective Wednesday

Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s (PRHC) hospital parking rates are changing effective Wednesday.

File photo.

According to PRHC, parking rates increased twice since 2016 yet maintenance costs have risen over the last decade.

“PRHC strives to keep our parking rates low, at a cost that's fair and aligns with provincial direction, while at the same time helping us to offset rising costs and support patient care across the hospital,” according to a press release statement.

The hospital will also continue to offer non-consecutive HPASS parking packages for five, 10 and 30 days. They can be purchased at the hospital’s Parking Office.

Monthly parking pass rates, including passes for Cancer Care and Dialysis patients, will not change.

Rates are as follows as of Wednesday:

• First half-hour $5.50; subsequent half-hours $2.25 (increase of $0.50 and $0.25 respectively)

• Maximum of $12.25 per single visit in a 24-hour period, no in-and-out privileges (increase of $0.25)

• Daily pass: $14.75 for 24 hours, with unlimited in-and-out privileges (increase of $0.50)

• Weekly pass: $45 with unlimited in-and-out privileges (increase of $2)

• Monthly pass: $95.75 with unlimited in-and-out privileges for 30 days (no changes)

• HPASS™ Pricing

  Non-consecutive use, unlimited in/out privileges. Can be purchased from the parking office only.

  • 5-day HPASS™: $30.60

  • 10-day HPASS™: $61.25

  • 30-day HPASS™: $183.75

• Cancer Care & Dialysis Pass: $50 per month (no changes)

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