Ontario Government Invests Over $3.5 Million to Peterborough Regional Health Centre to Expand Surgeries and Diagnostic Imaging

To help reduce wait times and improve access to care at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), the Ontario Government has invested over $3.5 million to expand surgical services and diagnostic imaging capacity, announced on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Dave Smith, PETERBOROUGH-KAWARTHA MPP; DR. LYNN MIKULA, PRHC PRESIDENT AND ceo and Dr. Noel Bennett, Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A large portion of the funding is through the Incremental Surgical Recovery Funding. This helps hospitals perform more procedures, address surgical backlogs, and ensure patients receive timely care, according to a press release. The PRHC received $2,680,700 to increase surgical volumes.

With the funding, PRHC can perform a wider scope of procedures including orthopedic surgeries such as hip and knee replacements, gynecologic surgeries, cataract procedures, hernia repairs and pediatric surgeries.

The other portion is $879,750 to support additional CT scan hours to help reduce diagnostic imaging wait times and improve access to timely diagnoses.

“By providing more than $3.5 million to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, we are making it easier and faster for people in our community to connect to the care they need,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This funding is a vital step in reducing wait times for surgeries and diagnostic imaging, ensuring our local healthcare system has the resources to support patients more effectively. Our government will continue to invest in the frontline services that make a real difference for families right here at home.”

“This one-time funding provides patients with faster access to surgeries and improved outcomes, especially for high-demand procedures like orthopedics, cancer and cataracts,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO. “Out CT scan volumes at PRHC have doubled over the last 10 years. Targeted investments in these areas are critical to meeting the growing need of the 600,000 patients we serve across a broad urban and rural geography.

@ptbo_canada The Ontario Government has invested over $3.5 million to expand surgeries and diagnostic imaging at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #healthcare ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

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PRHC Performs First Patient Procedure Using Endoscopic Ultrasound

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has performed the first patient procedure supported by Endoscopic Ultrasound technology, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the PRHC.

The procedure was performed by PRHC Gastroenterologist Dr. Olufemi Aoko.

According to the PRHC, Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is an advanced, highly specialized procedure in gastroenterology. It combines an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera) with an ultrasound probe to provide real-time, detailed images of a patient’s gastrointestinal tract and nearby organs such as the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder, helping diagnose conditions, stage cancers, and guide biopsies and treatments.

A team of specialists at PRHC offers a broad range of gastroenterology services to a referral population of 600,000 patients across the region, including diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Dr. Aoko is currently the only specialist at PRHC to perform Endoscopic Ultrasound; the first procedure in Peterborough supported by this new technology took place in March 2026.

“Before EUS was launched at PRHC, we would have had to send patients to other hospitals. The fact that we’re able to offer this procedure means we don’t have to do that, we can perform the procedures right here – it’s a win-win,” said Dr. Aoko. “Having access to this technology was a big selling point for me when deciding to come to Peterborough. This equipment supports me to work at my full capacity, and provides better imaging, allowing for more accurate diagnosis, disease staging, and treatment. It also provides the opportunity to perform biopsies – that’s a key thing. Some of these biopsies would have been done by interventional radiologists in the past, so that makes it exciting.”

Currently, PRHC is the only hospital between Kingston and Scarborough to offer EUS as part of its gastroenterology program.

“This is another powerful example of what our community can achieve through generosity,” says Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO. “Because of our donors, PRHC is able to bring leading-edge technology like Endoscopic Ultrasound to Peterborough, advancing care, expanding PRHC’s Gastroenterology (GI) program, and ensuring patients can access highly specialized diagnostics and treatment closer to home. Investments like this not only transform the patient experience, they also help attract the best and brightest healthcare professionals to our region. We’re grateful to every donor who is helping to build a stronger, more innovative future for care at PRHC.”

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PRHC Performs First-Ever Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Procedure in Peterborough

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has performed its first-ever Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) procedure in the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab, announced on Thursday morning.

PRHC is now the only hospital between Kingston and Scarborough to offer Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator. Photo courtesy of the PRHC.

Dr. Heather Cox, PRHC’s Deputy Chief of Surgery and Section Lead for Vascular Surgery, successfully performed the ICD procedure in March. She was supported by peers from University Health Network (UHN), who also provided training for nursing staff in the lead-up to PRHC’s first patient procedure.

According to the PRHC, an ICD is a small, battery-powered device surgically placed under the skin to monitor for and treat life-threatening, fast heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, that can cause sudden cardiac death. It uses wires to deliver low-energy pacing or high-energy shocks to restore normal heart rhythm. If a life-threatening change in the heart’s rhythm occurs, the ICD automatically delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm, even if the patient is unconscious and alone.

“It’s a life-saving procedure to receive a defibrillator,” said Dr. Cox. “The patient will have the safety of knowing that they’re being monitored carefully, and that the defibrillator will treat them if they run into an unsafe heart rhythm, and restore the heart into a normal, safe rhythm.”

Peterborough resident Ron was the first patient to undergo the ICD procedure. He reports that he is doing very well and feeling fantastic.

“These patients were previously having to travel to sites in Toronto and Kingston to have an ICD implanted. To be able to provide this advanced procedure closer to home at PRHC is an important step forward for the hospital’s regional cardiovascular care program and for patients across our community and region,“ saidd Dr. Cox.

The addition of the ICD procedure is one of several planned expansions to the cardiac program as we work toward a future in which PRHC offers full-service cardiovascular care for patients across the region.

“It’s extremely exciting to see another example of how donor generosity coupled with PRHC’s vision and the skills of its doctors, nurses and staff can so significantly transform patient care,” said Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Donor investment in building PRHC’s capability and capacity to transition to a comprehensive cardiac care program has enabled the introduction of ICD insertion right here, close to home. This will impact so many patients who would otherwise have to travel to Kingston or Toronto for the procedure to insert this life-saving device. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s been a part of this ongoing journey. Thank you!”

“The new life-saving treatments coming to PRHC will once again change the face of cardiac care in our region,” said Jim Neill, the philanthropist after whom the hospital’s James B. Neill Cardiac Centre was named in 2021. “I’m glad that my commitment is helping ‘keep our hearts here’ as PRHC builds on a donor-funded cardiac care foundation, on its way to a third cardiac lab and ultimately a full-service heart centre. I’m honoured to be part of the tradition of philanthropy that has supported this hospital since the beginning. I hope that my donation and what it’s helping to make possible will encourage and inspire others, as the donors who have come before have inspired me.”

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PRHC Foundation Launches Business Cares Program to Allow Local Businesses to Strengthen Community Connections; Hanoi House Named First Ambassador

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation has partnered with Hanoi House to launch Business Cares, a program for local businesses to support patient care while strengthening community connections, announced on Tuesday morning.

Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO (left) and Susan Tung, Hanoi House owner, enjoying Gỏi cuốn (Vietnamese spring roll) with peanut sauce in celebration of their new partnership. The PRHC serves more than 600,000 people across Peterborough and the surrounding area and relies on community support to fund the state-of-the-art equipment and technology to provide exceptional care. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The launch gives businesses an opportunity to easily play an active role in fundraising for the PRHC Foundation’s $70 million Campaign. Partners also gain exposure through the Foundation’s communications channels and become part of a trusted network of businesses, according to Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation.

“Business Cares is about creating a strong connection between community-minded businesses and the future of healthcare in our region,” She said. “We know that the area’s businesses care deeply about the communities they serve. This program offers a simple, flexible way to turn that care into impact. They’ll help PRHC Foundation fund lifesaving equipment and technology, and strengthen relationships with their teams and customers.”

Businesses can help by creating a fundraiser, running a point-of-purchase promotion, becoming a sponsor or making a direct contribution.

Prior to the program launch, Hanoi House has supported PRHC through its own initiatives over several years. This included a dumpling drive and pop-up buffet that raised more than $3,000 for patient care. The Vietnamese restaurant was named one of the program's first ambassadors.

“Being part of PRHC Foundation’s Business Cares program is a meaningful way for Hanoi House to give back to the area we love and call home, while strengthening our business,” said Susan Tung, Hanoi House owner. “Supporting our regional hospital is an investment in the health of the community we serve every day, including our customers, our team, and their families. That involvement has created a real sense of pride among our staff and patrons.

PRHC Foundation invites all businesses to join its community through Business Cares.

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Trent University Receives $1.1 Million Investment From Ontario Government to Expand Local Primary Care Workforce

Trent University has received a $1,132,500 investment from the Ontario Government to expand the local primary care healthcare workforce, announced at Bata Library on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent Universit president and vice-chancellor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding will upskill 350 registered nurses through a specialized program at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. This is part of the government’s $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan to connect everyone in Ontario to primary care by 2029.

To support the recruitment and retention of nurses in primary care, Ontario is providing Trent University with $1,132,500 over three years for a new, innovative program.

This 12-week upskilling initiative will help nurses gain skills, including:

• Chronic disease management

• Maternal and child care

• Immunizations and cancer screening

• Rural and Indigenous health specializations

Launching this year, the program at Trent is designed to equip registered nurses with the expertise needed to work immediately in primary care settings, freeing up time for family doctors to focus on patients with more complex needs, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment in Trent University is a major win for the health and well-being of families here in Peterborough-Kawartha,” he said. “The Ministry of Health’s recognition of the high quality of education provided by Trent University is an endorsement of small urban, rural institutions and the value they provide to the health care system. The upskilling of 350 registered nurses at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing gives our local health-care heroes the advanced tools they need to provide top-tier primary care right here in our community. Trent’s partnership with PRHC and other local rural hospitals demonstrates that the Ministry of Health recognizes the value of rural Ontario.”

The funding for Trent University is scheduled to scale over the next three years to meet growing demand:

“This upskilling program reflects Trent’s long-standing commitment to community-focused health education and addressing system-level challenges,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent University president and vice-chancellor. “By creating accessible advanced primary care education for registered nurses, we are helping strengthen care teams and improve access to healthcare services for people and communities across Ontario.”

“Investments into rural healthcare are incredibly important,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO. “Communities like ours, with urban and rural populations spread across broad geographies, have unique needs and challenges when it comes to accessing care. PRHC looks forward to continuing to work with Trent and our other post-secondary partners to ensure learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their healthcare careers, and to provide patients with the best possible care and support, today and into the future.”

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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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