The University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) celebrated a donation of $500,000 from Scotiabank, in support of the redevelopment of Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC)’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This gift, which arrives in time to celebrate World Prematurity Day, will have a major impact on the complex, future needs of mothers, babies and families at KHSC.

Scotiabank has been a long-time health care supporter, and has made donations in excess of $810,000 to Providence Care and KHSC, combined. In the past, Scotiabank has also supported local community events such as the Rose of Hope Golf Tournament, which raises funds for cancer services in our region.
 
“At Scotiabank, investing in our communities has been a focus for over 185 years, and we are proud to continue that focus by investing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kingston General Hospital,” says Michelle Power, District Vice President, Ontario Central East, Scotiabank. “We know that how we support young people today, can prepare them for tomorrow, and that’s why we want to help them thrive. Through this donation, we hope to help families gain access to resources and equipment to see their premature babies grow into healthy, contributing adults.”
 
“The pediatric program may be our best-kept secret. We care for children from birth to age 18,” says Stacey Wolfrom, Program Operational Director, Women and Children’s Programs, KHSC. “The revitalized NICU will be the most transformed of the Women and Children’s Health programs. The overall square footage will increase by 260 per cent. There will be a private room for each baby and the most advanced technology in all aspects of care.”
 
By moving Pediatrics beside the new NICU, Labour and Delivery Unit, and Post-Partum Unit, KHSC will centralize the expertise of all maternal, infant and pediatric care providers. This will help to provide seamless, innovative, and truly patient-centred care. The transformation will be a big win for women and children.
 
“The NICU has made enormous strides in recent years, implementing a variety of family-centred care initiatives,” says Brenda Carter, Chief of Quality and Clinical Transformation, KHSC. “Scotiabank’s gift will help to build a bigger, family-centred environment to accommodate the growing needs of premature infants and their families.”
 
“We are grateful for Scotiabank’s support towards the redevelopment of the NICU at the KGH site,” says Susan Creasy, Chair, Campaign Team, UHKF. “It is because of generous supporters like Scotiabank that we are able to continue to provide high-quality care for our smallest patients.”