View the latest news releases for Providence Health Care. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/mediaroom_newsreleases.html http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:02:26 -0800 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:01:15 -0800 FeedForAll Mac v2.1 (2.1.0.1); http://www.FeedForAll.com/ Professor Fiona Stanley, AC, Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research; Chair of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth; and Professor, School of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia, will deliver this year’s Alan Bernstein Distinguished Lectureship for 2009 at St. Paul’s Hospital, part of Providence Health Care. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/2009-Alan-Bernstein-Lectureship.htm 9DD8F52B-4B49-410D-A1E2-A1AFADEC6F2A-15449-00030E4CD3196EEE-FFA Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800 Renowned B.C. kinesiologist and heart disease researcher Dr. Scott Lear is the inaugural recipient of the Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Research at St. Paul's Hospital, established in partnership with Simon Fraser University (SFU). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Cardiovascular-Disease-Prevention.htm 4DF3E703-2616-427B-A8A2-B48485A8184E-24865-00025DF4041B34EB-FFA Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:12:20 -0800 Biomedical researchers face many problems as they try to understand and develop new interventions and treatments for disease. One of the major challenges is the length of time it takes to find the right data and the right way to analyze it. But researchers across Canada got a boost last week when Canada's Advanced Research and Innovation Network (CANARIE) awarded $927,000 for the C-BRASS (Canadian Bioinformatics Resources As Semantic Services) project. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Researchers-Awarded-Funds.htm 2A977736-59C4-4DC6-97A6-F20F12E286C6-17853-00021F824D1FC726-FFA Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:06:24 -0800 Canadian Patient Safety Week kicks off across the country this week, from Nov. 2 to 6, and to raise awareness here in British Columbia, patients are being told that "It's Good to Ask" questions of their health-care providers. "Patient Safety Week is a great opportunity to promote effective communication between patients and their doctors and other health providers," said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. "It"s important that we each take control of our own health by educating ourselves and asking questions when we don"t understand." http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Its-Good-to-Ask.htm 79959FD1-F76D-4D35-8F43-39588C791D88-18853-0000E557B852C338-FFA Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:23:56 -0800 Providence Health Care has once again been selected from hundreds of organizations in the province as one of BC's Top 55 Employers for 2010. PHC was selected on the basis of information contained in this year's application to the Canada's Top 100 Employers competition. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/PHC-Top-Employers.htm 2EBB3654-39B8-46EF-A036-A3F08251C83C-8133-000181964C918FE2-FFA Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:18:51 -0700 On Saturday, October 24, Providence Health Care (PHC) will be providing blankets, warm clothes and healthy lunches to hundreds of residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/ProvidenceinthePark2009.htm E47EFAFC-26F5-4A0F-85A9-1C58D5A17F48-28916-0001407988AA4662-FFA Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:10:52 -0700 Seven teams from each of B.C.'s health authorities and one individual from Vancouver received BC Patient Safety and Quality Council awards for advancing patient safety and quality of care, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Patient-Care-Recognized.htm 552F0A92-2DFF-474A-9155-4B6C5319DA01-2590-0000E6F3DDBC7824-FFA Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:10:57 -0700 A $100,000 gift from BMO Financial Group to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation will provide important support to the STOP-HIV/AIDS program operated by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/STOP-HIV-AIDS-Program.htm 24BEDE89-BB3E-48AB-AF92-E2A493BCE946-577-0000546499A30607-FFA Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:27:53 -0700 St. Paul's Hospital Foundation and the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine are pleased to announce the creation of the William H. Ross Fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Excellence. This fellowship was established with a visionary $1.375-million commitment from the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation in honour of Dr. William H. Ross, whose extraordinary expertise recently saved the vision in Morgan's only seeing eye, after he lost the sight in his other eye several years ago. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Vitreo-Retinal-Fellowship.htm F0604434-20B7-4449-A4DE-637997B8193A-2421-000268AE58E2300E-FFA Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:40:12 -0700 Women across the Lower Mainland are now able to visit one of four rapid- access breast cancer diagnosis pilot clinics to quickly catch potential cases of breast cancer, thanks to a $5-million investment from the Province’s Lower Mainland Innovation and Integration Fund (LMIIF), announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon today. "Every one of us is touched in some way by breast cancer and we now know that catching it quickly dramatically improves health outcomes," said Falcon. "By investing in innovative new models of care – like these rapid access clinics – we are building on our comprehensive network of cancer services, and further enhancing B.C.’s reputation as a leader in cancer care." http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Fast-Track-Cancer-Diagnosis.htm 66CC5E72-2A1A-443F-8850-958A277A7929-5685-0002B5AB71CB6CA4-FFA Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:16:05 -0700 Jim Dunsmore believes he would be on dialysis today were it not for the Kidney Function Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital, part of Providence Health Care (PHC). The Vancouver architect, whose health challenges include kidney disease, type 1 diabetes and heart disease, has attended the clinic since 1997. His appointment on Wednesday, June 17th will mark the 25,000th patient visit to the clinic, which has served as a model for early kidney care intervention across the province. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Kidney-Clinic-Celebrated.htm D6CB460B-AFDC-4545-8259-DC5FF5F3E979-2864-000072EB5CC84A65-FFA Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:30:46 -0700 In the wake of the recent global H1N1 Influenza A (human swine flu) outbreak, Providence Health Care is especially pleased to announce that its Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPAC) has won the Oxoid Judges’ Special Award for excellence in hospital infection prevention. It is the first time such an award has been bestowed upon an infection control team in North America. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Infection-Prevention-Control-Award.htm 9E54756A-C385-4D78-A451-5BB9B08882EB-582-000076438184AC68-FFA Mon, 25 May 2009 13:58:25 -0700 During National Nursing Week (May 11-17), Providence Health Care is recognizing and celebrating the dedication of our nurses in providing exceptional care, teaching, service and research within the organization. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/BC-Nursing-Awards.htm 32CCE90F-F373-4485-970B-2C5660B2753F-6867-0003B84FFEDF3B5D-FFA Thu, 14 May 2009 16:21:02 -0700 Nurses at St. Paul's Hospital will soon benefit from an innovative new mentorship and education program thanks to a landmark $1-million donation from the RBC Foundation. This milestone contribution will support the establishment of the new RBC Leadership Program for Nursing Innovation, which will provide nurses at St. Paul's Hospital with improved education and mentorship opportunities. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/RBC-Foundation-2009.htm 244C6AC2-12D1-41E2-B3ED-8BBE75AFAD7E-9945-00018EF3F940A7E1-FFA Thu, 07 May 2009 16:12:07 -0700 Providence Health Care is pleased to announce that Dr. Sam Wiseman, a general surgeon with St. Paul's Hospital and a research scientist with the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, is a recipient of a Canada's Top 40 Under 40 TM Award for 2009. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/StPaulsHospitalSurgeon.htm 23424973-0C1E-4E14-9C17-EF49C92AEBB0-1162-0000E00F83A4A940-FFA Tue, 05 May 2009 10:44:34 -0700 Dr. Mark Tyndall, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Providence Health Care, was presented with an AccolAIDS Award last night at the 8th Annual AccolAIDS Awards Gala. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/AccolAIDSGala-2009.htm BF90AB5B-1646-49F2-A8F3-3C20E588CA6F-334-000001257B954EC0-FFA Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:57:27 -0700 On Saturday April 18, Providence Health Care (PHC) will be providing healthy lunches, clothing, socks and toiletries to more than 500 residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather at Oppenheimer Park beginning at 11am, at the corner of Cordova Street and Dunlevy Avenue, to distribute the provisions. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Providence-in-the-Park-2009.htm 5E17C558-2511-4B9C-9812-7A1B3B5D59C2-505-000037C89B541886-FFA Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:40:54 -0700 For the second year in a row Providence Health Care (PHC) has been selected as one of the 20 Best Employers for New Canadians for 2009, a designation that recognizes the nation's best employers for recent immigrants. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/PHC-Best-Employer-Award.htm 849A7F5D-314C-4397-9060-C46280708F31-13881-0002B173DDCCB3B1-FFA Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:19:23 -0700 Thanks to a recent investment of $5.6 million in surgical innovation at St. Paul's Hospital, referral wait times are down, surgeries are up, and recovery times are shorter than ever for Lower Mainland patients in need of lower extremity (foot and ankle) and upper extremity (hand and wrist) surgeries (also known as distal extremity surgeries). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Innovation-Fast-Tracks.htm B20A0598-C65C-4105-8204-DC2DD3FCD847-1747-000089631643D9AB-FFA Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:27 -0700 The Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital (HLI) is joining the Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth campaign. The new HLI partnership in this important national women's heart health initiative is made possible by contributions from St. Paul's Hospital Foundation and Providence Health Care. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/HT-Sponsorship.htm F37FA214-A0EC-4CD6-ABA9-587D1B9357DA-563-00002EDB1AB248FC-FFA Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:17:15 -0800 A powerful new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at the Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital is bringing early diagnosis of cardiac disease to a whole new level. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/CT-Scanner.htm 88A6A49D-A5FC-4354-9377-404ADD8CD562-427-00002DAB427E6E4C-FFA Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:08:17 -0800 Fraser Health (FH), Providence Health Care (PHC) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) have awarded two-year contracts to Medi-Van Canada Inc. (Medi-Van) and SN Transport Canada Limited (SN Transport) to provide transfers for medically stable patients between health facilities, residential care facilities and community locations. The contracts are part of a province-wide initiative to address the growing demand for this patient transfer service. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Patient-Transfers.htm BF7DE06E-798D-48BE-BE52-305737D18F20-528-0000447E4C8A0089-FFA Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:13:37 -0800 Christmas has come early to St. Vincent’s Hospital Langara with the arrival of new dishes, thanks to recent donations to Tapestry Foundation for Health Care. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Bon-Appetit.htm A29A3891-FD5E-4254-9667-6F0B47EEC2DD-2169-00008B89FFAECFB6-FFA Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:11:42 -0800 In what has become a well-known Vancouver Christmas tradition, Santa Claus (Dal Richards) will pay a visit to the Maternity Centre at St. Paul's Hospital on Wednesday, December 10th at 11:30 am. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Santa-Claus-Visits.htm 9CD52EDA-B3C6-4CDE-A438-6878BBAF3110-1818-00008815785D7D0E-FFA Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:45:25 -0800 BC Transplant, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital are pleased to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the heart transplant program in British Columbia. Through continued innovation, and collaboration, over 325 lifeosaving heart transplants have been performed in British Columbia. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/BC-Heart-Transplant.htm 44302586-C47F-45BA-BC23-DC4C5917BFD1-1583-0001192570A7B1E7-FFA Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:43:09 -0800 Dr. Robert Hogg, director of the Drug Treatment Program at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) and Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, at Simon Fraser University, announced today the establishment of the Canadian Observational Cohort (CANOC): a nation-wide HIV/AIDS antiretroviral research network. CANOC will study the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS treatment. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Antiretroviral-Research.htm 26BBE995-71A7-42FC-A894-F8EB578DA862-12521-0001266079562307-FFA Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:23:42 -0800 The Province is providing $30.2 million to Providence Health Care’s Honoria Conway, providing seniors and adults with disabilities with access to 68 new assisted living units that officially opened today. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/New-Assisted-Living.htm B153A6AE-58CC-4D07-9841-E4822CA3647B-9210-0000EA409352E813-FFA Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:14:38 -0700 Improved access to services and faster care is the goal behind a series of innovative pilot projects announced today by Health Services Minister George Abbott that are now underway in British Columbia’s two largest health authorities. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Lower-Mainland-Partnership.htm 5CB4B78B-F1D5-4E5F-AED8-2BE301EA2EC1-1009-00009420D71B5BDD-FFA Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:30:26 -0700 Providence Health Care (PHC), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) have all been recognized as three of the province’s leading employers. The results of the fifth annual BC’s Top 50 Employers competition were announced on October 18, 2008 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. (the organizers of the Canada’s Top Employers competition). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Top-50-Employers.htm E2E0C89A-80EE-46D7-9E93-4D2C74227EDF-773-00008793F3F0D9A9-FFA Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:40:34 -0700 Researchers from the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI Study) today released final data on the primary outcomes from the three-year randomized controlled clinical trial. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Heroin-Therapy.htm AE67926F-BBD5-4A8C-A7C2-1139A1876009-465-000038DEA4928961-FFA Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:45:39 -0700 Had cutting edge digital tomosynthesis mammography technology been available a few years ago, it might have meant the difference between night and day in Ouida Lanuza’s breast cancer journey. Tomosynthesis, or 'slice' imaging, is the latest technology that complements the benefits of existing digital mammography. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/tomosynthesis-mammograms.htm 86A3D005-5DC8-4A13-A388-4E21DD2746EE-1120-000099B87A00816A-FFA Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:36:32 -0700 An open letter signed by some of Canada's most distinguished scientists asks the country's political leaders to take action to end the government's mishandling and mistreatment of science and due processes. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Global-Warming.htm 9D92F48D-FEF4-4F5E-9E05-1C49E20E7A6C-2622-00008F1FB095D25F-FFA Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:14:22 -0700 Prompt medical attention in Insite, North America’s first supervised injection facility (SIF) has saved up to 12 lives a year over the past four years, according to a new study authored by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Injection-Drug-Users.htm E4AA426A-0371-4A09-B4AC-78DA115CA8FE-411-000043CAF76B993F-FFA Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:15:56 -0700 Medication errors are said to affect at least 1.5 million Canadians per year. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), one in ten patients receive the wrong medication, or the wrong dose while in hospital. To raise awareness of patient safety issues, and to highlight the important initiatives and innovations related to medication reconciliation happening across the country, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute today launched its fourth annual Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Patient_Safety_Week.htm 7A5BBEFB-4470-4035-9897-A2455E1642A6-8633-0001344A4EAC31AE-FFA Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:52:38 -0700 Over 18,000 Emergency Department patients received faster access to care during the past year thanks to an innovative new incentive-based pilot project in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Providence Health Care (PHC). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/EDP_Success.htm 50AC3836-4DC8-449F-9BC3-8388479A51D3-19415-0003AEFDA018DD89-FFA Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:26:40 -0700 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) today announced that Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE), at Providence Health Care and UBC, adjunct professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, and President of the International AIDS Society (IAS), is the first Canadian recipient of its inaugural Avant-Garde Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) consisting of $500,000 per year for five years. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/NIH-Award.htm 906A74CB-585A-457E-A673-F059A413045B-12254-00017D5C9A1457B1-FFA Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:49:23 -0700 Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Fraser Health Authority (FHA) and Providence Health Care (PHC) today issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking an alternate service provider for transporting low-acuity patients between health facilities, residential care facilities and community locations. The RFP is part of a province-wide initiative to address the growing demand for this service. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Inter-Facility-Transfers.htm DD51B9D0-1DCC-4B37-BEDE-64F8EB0FDFBF-3176-00008EA5446F4897-FFA Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:00:28 -0700 There is a Canada-wide outbreak of an illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a germ that has contaminated some deli meat products from one Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc. plant in Ontario. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/FoodPoisoningOutbreak.htm CF616FF7-21DB-4982-B0FA-D285D01AF7BE-2179-000080312C167031-FFA Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:35:58 -0700 Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, part of Providence Health Care, has been appointed president of the world's leading independent association of HIV/AIDS professionals. Montaner, who is also Professor of Medicine, Chair of AIDS Research and Head of the Division of AIDS at the University of British Columbia, will assume the prestigious position of President of the International AIDS Society (IAS) at the conclusion of the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, on Friday, August 8th, 2008. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/IAS.htm A9C7A249-5AAF-43BF-9B9F-FF792B0B721F-4078-000055721D3743C5-FFA Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:03:25 -0700 A new study by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) reveals the dramatic impact that increased coverage with HIV therapy could have in reducing HIV transmissions in B.C. while saving money for the province’s health care system. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/CfE-HAART-expansion.htm 4CB3AD62-401C-4BC8-9D6D-8E0D5B5E1DF1-2285-00009966AD86436B-FFA Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:41:17 -0700 Physicians, patients and representatives from the Province and Provincial Health Services Authority gathered at a news conference today to recognize the B.C. Acute Heart Failure Program’s unprecedented number of ventricular assist devices (VADs, also commonly known as mechanical hearts) implanted this year – more than any other program of its kind in Canada.Physicians, patients and representatives from the Province and Provincial Health Services Authority gathered at a news conference today to recognize the B.C. Acute Heart Failure Program’s unprecedented number of ventricular assist devices (VADs, also commonly known as mechanical hearts) implanted this year - more than any other program of its kind in Canada. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Heart-Implants.htm CCF9DED2-C1F5-40C2-970D-1BABFA9667DD-10271-00006D0915A85EF2-FFA Wed, 28 May 2008 11:01:28 -0700 During National Nursing Week (May 12-18), Providence Health Care (PHC) is celebrating the unique contributions and achievements of both the nursing profession and the individual nurses who work at PHC. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/PHC-Nurses-Awards.htm 397DB423-4164-42BB-8CCE-435FFA71BE70-10271-00006D25EB0CD6CC-FFA Thu, 15 May 2008 12:08:31 -0700 Imagine being in pain but unable to express it? This is the unfortunate reality for many seniors suffering from dementia and multiple co-morbid conditions that involve pain. The good news is that it's the focus of a research effort to be funded by proceeds from the May 10 BMO Pacific Spirit Run. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Run-Funded-Research.htm 3261EE19-853E-47E4-BB68-62E00A0B817A-10271-00006D4F450FE126-FFA Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:48:37 -0700 St. Paul's Hospital has opened the doors to British Columbia's first clinic dedicated to the diagnosis and management of thyroid cancers and thyroid hormone disorders. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/One-Stop-Thyroid-Clinic.htm 3F5A2958-63E7-4165-9D1A-50C3BD61E702-10271-00006D5FEF7C332D-FFA Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:03:40 -0700 Two competing Vancouver athletic footwear businesses have united in the battle against dementia. The owners of athletic footwear outlets, Ladysport and Forerunners, have personally experienced the toll of dementia in their own families and, as a result, are sponsors of the BMO Pacific Spirit Run which takes place Saturday, May 10 at Pacific Spirit Park at UBC. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Fundraising-for-Dementia.htm 6D8166EB-4D60-4C17-8BEF-093F4F38E0F0-10271-00006D71EF4E9486-FFA Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:12:43 -0700 What may have started as a dream for the future of science and medicine is now a very close reality with this Friday's launch of the new Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Epidemic Organ Failure (PROOF). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Proof-Event.htm 435093AA-B136-4087-A164-50D6A60B58B7-10271-00006D7E9AD80D3D-FFA Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:01:45 -0700 Providence Health Care's John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic was recognized at the 7th Annual AccolAIDS Awards, presented April 13, 2008 by the British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society's (BCPWA). Presented at the AccolAIDS fundraising gala, the AccolAIDS Awards honour the extraordinary achievements and dedication of organizations, businesses, groups and individuals responding to the AIDS epidemic in British Columbia, and the thousands of people living in B.C. who are affected. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/AccolAIDSGala.htm 220E6AE4-9784-4105-81F3-70850267CFCD-10271-00006D92F4F07454-FFA Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:16:48 -0700 The UBC Institute for Mental Health and the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS) at Providence Health Care Research Institute will host "Cracked But Not Broken" an international conference that addresses stimulant use among adolescents and young adults April 18 - 20 at the UBC Life Sciences Centre. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/UBC-International-Conference.htm FF1248C7-4ADF-4716-B310-D2CC58289DE9-10271-00006DA0DBB0F28F-FFA Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:55:51 -0700 One in four Canadians suffer from metabolic syndrome, a combination of risk factors including excess abdominal fat that can increase their risk of serious heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. The Metabolic Syndrome Program located within Vancouver's St Paul's Hospital, has established a positive, innovative approach that's helping British Columbians reduce their risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. The clinic was established with the support of a $1.6 million donation from pharmaceutical partner AstraZeneca Canada. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/MetabolicSyndromeClinic.htm 09EDBFA6-904E-4B43-B84A-D49201DD0295-10271-00006DAE024609C7-FFA Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:02:54 -0700 There are clear disparities in life expectancy among prison inmates in the United States based on race and gender, finds a new study authored by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE). The current imprisonment practice in the United States may negatively influence prison populations, explain the authors, adding that the negative health effects of imprisonment and new interventions to reduce them should be an urgent priority within both corrections and public health. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/RisksforHIV.htm F5BC6B79-83A8-4CF1-B225-E57A2D3E28B1-10271-00006DB761C96E61-FFA Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:00:57 -0700 Everyday violence experienced by women engaged in street-based sex work results in a heightened risk of HIV transmission, finds a new study authored by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE). The qualitative study published in Social Science and Medicine included responses from 46 participants, from focus groups conducted between December 2005 and March 2006. The average age of the respondents was 34 years and 57 per cent identified themselves as being of Aboriginal ancestry. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/StreetBasedSexWork.htm 0C64BE6C-27AF-43FD-99E5-7C2540929BE2-10271-00006DC11DD3F0DB-FFA Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:02:00 -0700 Almost three-quarters of street youth in Vancouver have used crystal methamphetamine, and nearly 95 per cent of street youth reported that the drug was 'very easy' to acquire, finds a new study authored by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/CrystalMethamphetamineUse.htm 2F6C7171-6F76-4B94-A0F3-E513005F2D26-10271-00006DCF47D079B7-FFA Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:14:03 -0700 On Saturday, April 5, Providence Health Care (PHC) is bringing much-needed food, T-shirts and sweatshirts, socks and toiletries to over 500 residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather at Oppenheimer Park to distribute the provisions. There will also be stations for people to receive haircuts and chair massages, a special service that was very popular at the last Providence in the Park. Many attendees to this highly anticipated event are homeless or poor families in dire need of food. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/ProvidenceInthePark2008.htm 38846701-96F6-41E0-8706-37C886FC019A-10271-00006DD7884553D0-FFA Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:57:07 -0700 A gene once thought to cause damage to the heart during inflammation may actually be vital for anti-virus immunity, revealed a study led by researchers at Providence Health Care's Heart + Lung Institute and the James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research at St. Paul's Hospital. The study, published in this week's edition of Circulation, a leading journal by the American Heart Association, examined the role of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) during heart inflammation resulting from coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). This common human pathogen is the leading cause of viral myocarditis, an inflammation that can cause such severe damage to the heart that a heart transplant becomes the only treatment option. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/GeneDiscovery.htm A2677F0A-05CA-40EA-824A-95711B799F79-10271-00006DDFC7C6A953-FFA Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:03:09 -0700 As part of March's Kidney Month activities, Providence Health Care's Renal Program held a celebration event to mark two significant milestones: the re-opening of a vital area of the hemodialysis unit at St. Paul's Hospital after $1.34 million in upgrades and the 1500th kidney transplant in the Program's history. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/DialysisUnitandKidneyTransplants.htm 3A11982D-4D0F-4C71-8B6A-19D6C909DC8B-10271-00006DF0E2B4BBD9-FFA Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:05:12 -0700 New research by St. Paul's Hospital's Dr. Jim Russell and the team of Vasopressin and Septic Shock Trial (VASST) investigators – published in the latest edition of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine – shows some patients with septic shock may have a better chance of surviving if they are treated with the human hormone vasopressin. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/VASST.htm BADA8FE1-E55E-4AF0-8372-64051D1565FA-10271-00006E091045EF04-FFA Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:19:15 -0800 Providence Health Care (PHC) has been selected as one of the 20 Best Employers for New Canadians for 2008, a designation that recognizes the nation's best employers for recent immigrants. PHC was the only health care organization in western Canada recognized in 2008 for its progressive work policies, educational and training opportunities and competitive compensation that assist new Canadians in making the transition to a new workplace and a new life in Canada. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/Best-Employer-Award.htm E1CFB362-F74C-474C-8E21-A7D1B2FC12B9-10271-00006E12134502FF-FFA Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:55:19 -0800 Forty per cent of people who died of HIV/AIDS-related causes in B.C. between 1997 and 2005 never accessed life-saving, free, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), reveals a new study published by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE). Low socioeconomic status was found to be strongly associated with the delay in starting therapy as well as higher mortality rates among people on HAART. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/AccesstoTreatmentHIV.htm 8FBC1435-6823-487F-A1EA-16E078162A52-10271-00006E1DED7C9623-FFA Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:02:22 -0800 Prevention of one of Canada's leading health burdens has received a boost thanks to $15 million in federal funding awarded to the scientists at the Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital, with the University of British Columbia (UBC). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/HLI.htm F84F5000-98E4-42D1-9201-D6043229ECFB-10271-00006E2BA5FAA108-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:55:26 -0800 Researchers, educators, clinicians, policy makers, private sector leaders and members of the public will gather at a local summit tomorrow to address the enormous burden of heart and lung diseases. The summit, covering a timely topic for Heart Month, acknowledges the connection between heart and lung diseases and the urgency to address the issue. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/HeartandLungSummit.htm 58375646-BE4A-4563-A2A8-AF163FF7DF9E-10271-00006E34879BA639-FFA Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:32 -0800 Heart failure affects people in many different ways and can develop over several years or suddenly as a result of a heart attack. For most people heart failure is a life-long condition. Join experts from St. Paul's Hospital's Heart Function Clinic for a series of short lectures on what heart failure is, how it's treated, what you can do to prevent it, and if you have it, what you can do to manage it. Experts will be available to answer any questions about heart failure and provide valuable information on prevention, drugs for treatment, diet, exercise and self-care. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/FreeSessionsHeartFailure.htm 1CC125DD-7DBB-4D0D-812D-A601E5343E5F-10271-00006E3EC74400F1-FFA Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:15:35 -0800 Get your pulse racing with the latest information in cardiac research, care and prevention. Our experts, based in two of Canada's leading cardiac care centres, St. Paul's Hospital and VGH, will guide you through the secrets of caring for the heart including the role of gender, what study results reveal about angioplasty vs. medical management, understanding risk, and new technology & surgical techniques. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/FreePublicTalk.htm F5BBD4F8-B2E1-4264-BDE8-DDE50F0BC58A-10271-00006E4AA5C2118C-FFA Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:02:38 -0800 Recent boosts in fundraising through Tapestry Foundation for Health Care is bringing Mount Saint Joseph Hospital closer to getting a digital mammography machine for its breast care program. More than $480,000 has been raised to date towards the purchase of the equipment valued at $750,000. Included among a number of fundraising initiatives was the inaugural Scotiabank Feast of Fortune on February 1st at Victoria Chinese Restaurant that brought in more than $90,000. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/FundraisingEfforts.htm 7769D1B2-5534-4458-A543-D5C7A55AF5F9-10271-00006E55226FA2B3-FFA Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:45:41 -0800 Aboriginal people in Vancouver who inject drugs experience a significantly elevated burden of HIV infection, finds a new study authored by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. The research recommends health policy-makers take immediate action and implement evidence-based and culturally appropriate strategies to effectively address high rates of HIV among Aboriginal injection drug users (IDUs). http://www.providencehealthcare.org/HIVInfection.htm 294230FC-4304-4C10-ACDC-C78686AD8671-10271-00006E641F325CD1-FFA Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:08:44 -0800 A total of 521 nurses from the United Kingdom have been hired in the Lower Mainland over the last two years, the result of a targeted provincial recruitment effort, Health Minister George Abbott announced today. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/RecruitmentCampaign.htm 8DAF00BD-1F0D-4A53-BAA3-27440CD88549-10271-00006E6F63ADB24A-FFA Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:03:49 -0800 Tapestry Foundation for Health Care and Scotiabank are presenting the Feast of Fortune Friday, February 1st at Victoria Chinese Restaurant, Vancouver to raise money to purchase a new digital mammography machine for Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/ScotiabankFeastofFortune.htm 6BAF854A-8CDD-497A-B340-550BC9CDA3E8-10271-00006E77E0B27DA3-FFA Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:23:53 -0800 Scientists, clinicians, trainees and special guests are gathered today to celebrate 30 years of history, development and progress in cardiovascular and pulmonary basic research at St. Paul's Hospital. http://www.providencehealthcare.org/30YearsofExcellence.htm 3A385C9D-29EB-44FD-AB67-575ADC392603-10271-00006E7FD5CF28C6-FFA Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:49:01 -0800