Where Your Donations Go

The Regional Foundation's mandate is to provide ongoing resources allowing for the replacement, development, and modernization of Medical Equipment for the Western Memorial Regional Hospital. The Foundation's goal is to purchase priority medical equipment and  the associated operating costs are covered by the corporation.

Case For Support 2023-24

In the 2023-24 Case For Support, we are working with the community to improve overall healthcare. This cutting-edge equipment will aid in retinal pathology identification and disease management, improve mobility of critically ill patients to reduce complications due to their immobility, provide high fidelity simulation to aid in training of nurses, residents and new physicians, identify changes in lung function, provide slower dialysis for critically ill patients, aid in post amputation rehabilitation and test whether hearing aids are working to their maximum benefit.

This vital equipment costing $607,409 includes:

Sara Combilizer Multi Position Aid - $25,642: This is a versatile aid that enables out of bed mobilization to the critically ill patient. Applying mobilization therapy as early as the patients clinical status allow may reduce the number of complications due to immobility. When utilized, early mobility reduces ICU and hospital length of stay and improved functional outcomes. It allows the patient to be positioned into lying, sitting and standing positions without having to perform transfers in between and without strain on the caregiver.

CRRT - $94,875: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy is a type of dialysis used when you need a slower, gentler type of dialysis. CRRT may be used for kidney failure from an injury, an illness, or a reaction to medicine. It filters blood over longer periods of time than other types of dialysis. It can also filter out more wastes and fluids that others.

High Fidelity Simulation Mannequins - $121,250: High Fidelity Simulation is a healthcare education methodology that involves the use of sophisticated life-like mannequins in realistic patient environments. High fidelity mannequins have expanding chests that breathe, have variable heart rates and tones, measurable blood pressure and palpable pulses. We are fundraising for a ‘Noelle’ maternal newborn mannequin and a ‘Susie’ advanced nursing patient. The mannequins provide learning opportunities in safe practice environment to enhance crucial thinking and clinical judgement expected in practice.

PFT’s - $155,408: Pulmonary Function Tests are breathing tests to determine how well air moves in and out of your lungs and how well oxygen enters your blood stream. The tests are used to compare your lung function with known standards that show how well your lungs should be working; measure the effect of chronic diseases like asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis on lung function; identify a need for a change in treatment; detect narrowing in the airway; indicate if a medicine such as a bronchodilator could be helpful; show whether exposure to substances in your home or workplace may have harmed your lungs; and determine your ability to tolerate surgery and medical procedures.

Widefield Fundus Camera - $150,000: Widefield photos aid in pathology identification and disease management as well as retinal pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy. It improves efficiency and patient comfort. In 25% of patients, ophthalmologists were able to detect pathology that would have been missed on routine ophthalmoscopy. This leads to earlier treatment for improved patient outcomes.

PPAM Aid Amputee Assessment Device - $10,234: The PPAM Aid is for partial weight bearing post amputation rehabilitation. Early use of PPAM Aid assists in the reduction of stump edema and early mobility of the patient which has advantages both psychologically and physiologically. It decreases instances of pain. It is an assessment tool for suitability of prosthesis and prepares the stumps for a hard prosthetic socket. It allows for re-education of postural reactions, balance and gait and it helps wound healing.

Real Ear System (2) - $50,000: The Real Ear System confirms whether the hearing aid is performing in a manner to provide maximum benefit. These measurements are essential to perform because the anatomy of the ear canal is unique to each person, which will impact the sound delivered to the ear canal. Real Ear measurements are the only way you can measure and account for these effects in the hearing aid programming.

This revolutionary equipment will significantly improve the lives of patients of all ages in our region. It will improve the lives of your family, friends, and co-workers who rely on the services of Western Health.

Through the generous support of local corporations, service groups, and individuals, we are confident we can reach this goal. Together we can improve healthcare for patients throughout our region.

Thank you for your generous support!

Case For Support 2022-2023

In the 2022-23 Case For Support, we worked with the community to focus on treating a variety of joint conditions involving the knee, shoulder and elbow; providing improved versatility for surgical positioning, aiding in faster recovery from surgery or injury; providing close weight monitoring to ensure proper treatment effectiveness; allowing doctors to identify and diagnose growths, tumors or cancer; and determining the function of the thyroid and assess goiters or nodules.

This vital equipment costing $560,043 included an Arthroscopy Tower, a Surgical Table, a Lift with Weigh Scales, a Recumbent Bike, Cystoscopy Instruments, Semi-Rigid Semi-Rigid Ureteroscopes, a Thyroid Uptake System and Blanket Warmers.

Through the generous support of local corporations, service groups, and individuals, we are happy to announce that we reached this goal and together we were able to greatly improve healthcare for patients throughout our region.

Thank you for your generous support!

Case For Support 2021-2022

In the 2021-22 Case For Support, we worked with the community to focus on your Heart, Lungs, Hearing and Critical Care and improved overall healthcare in Western Newfoundland and Labrador. This project added new innovative technology to detect heart problems, help in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and other lung diseases, manage sleep apnea, monitor and treat serious medical conditions and provide the tools to support early hearing detection and intervention programs for children.

This vital equipment costing $574,654 included:

EKG (6 - 3B/ER/EKG/3A/2D/4AB) - $137,400: an Electrocardiogram is a painless and noninvasive test used to quickly detect heart problems and monitor heart health. It operates wirelessly and can determine or detect abnormal heart rhythm, coronary artery disease, whether you have had a pre-vious heart attack and how well certain heart disease treatments, such as pacemakers, are working.

Endobronchial Ultrasound (Endoscopy) - $344,004: will help our specialists diagnose or determine stages of lung cancer and other lung diseases that can’t be confirmed with standard imaging tests like sarcoidosis and lymphoma. It is safe and minimally invasive and will reduce the need for patients to travel to St. John’s for testing.

CPAP (5 - Respiratory) - $4,250: treats obstructive sleep apnea which comes with the possibility of severe health risks. The treatment can help protect you from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and motor vehicle accidents. The benefits of using a CPAP machine include improvements in daytime alertness, concentration and emotional stability.

Portable Ultrasound (ICU) - $65,000: helps detect minor and major ailments and monitors and treats serious med-ical conditions like heart disease and cancer. Portable ultrasounds help provide accurate and speedy diagnoses for prompt treatment decisions thereby improving patient recovery. Portable ultrasound is most beneficial to critical care patients that are extremely sensitive to movement.

DPOAE (3 - Maternal Newborn/Audiology WMRH & STRH in Stephenville) - $24,000: When permanent congenital hearing losses are identified through the early hearing detection and intervention program, positive language out-comes are more easily achieved. The consequences of undetected and untreated hearing loss place children at high-er risk of experiencing language, cognitive, academic, social and emotional difficulties. This equipment will enable us to have all newborns’ hearing screened prior to leaving the hospital. The goal is to have those with hearing loss diagnosed by three months of age and these children fitted with hearing aids before six months of age to achieve outcomes that are comparative to their normal hearing peers.

Case For Support 2019-2021

In our first ever two year (2019-2021) Case For Support, we are working with the community to focus on Breast Cancer Care and improved overall healthcare in Western Newfoundland and Labrador. This project will add new innovative technology to the Medical Imaging and OR departments of Western Health. Upon completion of this year’s project, there will be enhanced technology, clearer imagery, earlier cancer detection, superior diagnostic capabilities and greater efficiencies in the Medical Imaging department as well as less invasive treatment options and better tumour localization in the operating room.

This vital equipment costing $1,003,000 includes:

3D Mammography Unit 3D Mammography is a revolutionary screening and diagnostic breast imaging tool to improve the early detection of breast cancer. During the 3D part of the exam, an x-ray arm sweeps over the breast, taking multiple images in seconds. Images are displayed as a series of thin slices that can be viewed by our radiologists as individual images or in a dynamic interactive animation. The use of 3D Mammography, or Breast Tomosynthesis, has greatly improved the detection of small tumours, and when cancers are small, the patient has more treatment options. It also improves accuracy in pinpointing the size, shape and location of the abnormality. It can reduce false positive rates which means fewer call-backs for follow up scans. This technology also results in fewer unnecessary biopsies or additional tests, clearer images within dense breast tissue and greater likelihood of detecting multiple breast tumours.

General Ultrasound Unit provides a non-invasive imaging method that does not use ionizing radiation, but rather high-frequency sound waves to produce images. It is used for diagnosing causes of pain, swelling, infection and heart conditions, examining babies, guiding biopsies and much more.

Lymphatic Mapping Probe is used in surgical procedures for lymphatic mapping and tumor localization. Locating different tumor sites is effective in the localization of diseases such as para-thyroid adenomas and recurrent cancer. It is also used to localize certain tumours in the lung allowing surgeons to stage cancer much earlier than before. The angled tip allows the user to maintain visual contact with the tissue being interrogated.

Case For Support 2017-2018

In the 2017-2018 Case For Support, we teamed up with the community to provide new innovative technology to enhance the following departments:

  • Medical Imaging: Breast screening monitors, workstations and a general ultrasound
  • Maternal Newborn: Wireless fetal monitors
  • Ophthalmology: IOL Master to take accurate measurements for cataract surgery
  • Physiotherapy: Recumbent cross trainer used in many areas of rehabilitation
  • Respiratory Therapy: CoughAssist to keep airways clear for people with ALS, MS and more

This vital equipment, with a price tag of $533,500, has significantly improved the lives of patients of all ages, from pediatric to geriatric, in our region.

Thank you for your generous support!

Case For Support 2016-2017

In the 2016-2017 Case For Support, our focus was on the Audiology, Emergency, EEG, Orthopedics, Maternal Newborn, and Surgical departments of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

We worked with the community to provide new innovative technology including:

  • audiology equipment to determine the cause of dizziness, vertigo and balance problems
  • improved imagery for diagnosing epilepsy, sleep disorders and diseases of the brain
  • enhanced detection of neuromuscular issues by measuring muscle response to stimulation
  • blanket warmers to improve patient comfort in EEG and Adult Rehab departments
  • a child crisis mannequin to provide life-saving CPR, IV and femoral access training
  • new technology for orthopedic surgical services that will mean patients do not have to travel within or outside the province
  • birthing beds to improve patient comfort and safety and increase functionality for staff
  • departmental assessment for patients with cardiac issues to determine surgical readiness
  • monitoring of the vascular system to determine risk indicators of coronary disease, heart attack, stroke or mini stroke

This vital equipment, with a price tag of $553,000, significantly improved the lives of patients of all ages in our region.

Thank you for your generous support!

Case For Support 2015-2016

In the 2015-2016 Case For Support, we focussed on the Mammography, Medical Imaging, Renal Dialysis, Medicine, Alternate Level of Care, and Emergency departments of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

We worked with the community to provide new innovative technology to enhance:

  • Medical Imaging (with a new Cardio Ultrasound Unit and enhanced Breast Screening Unit)
  • Safe Patient Handling (with new Patient Floor Lifts, Bariatric Wheelchairs and Stretchers)
  • Renal Dialysis (with Ultrasound Guided Access for Dialysis)
  • Bladder Issue Diagnosis (with a new Bladder Scanner)
  • Emergency Services (with a new 4x4 Safety Concept Ambulance)

This vital equipment, with a price tag of $592,555, significantly improved the lives of patients of all ages in our region.

Through the generous support of local corporations, service groups, and individuals, we are proud to announce that we met this goal. Together we improved healthcare for patients throughout our region who require the services of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

Case For Support 2014-2015

In the 2013-2014 Case For Support, we raised funds for  the Emergency, Endoscopy, ICU, Maternal Newborn, Medical Imaging, Renal Dialysis, Respiratory Therapy, Surgery and Urology departments of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

The vital equipment purchased will help monitor patient's vital signs and warn against serious or life threatening events. It will improve imagery to aid in early diagnosis of certain types of cancer and monitor the electrical activity of the heart to determine causes of chest pain and heart disease. It will enable the observation and diagnosis of bladder and urinary tract abnormalities including early indicators of cancer, infection, stones, strictures, obstruction and bleeding. It will provide a controlled heat, humidity, and oxygen microenvironment for the isolation and care of premature and low birth weight babies. It will monitor patient's heart during day-to-day activities to discover abnormalities and provide mechanical ventilation while moving or transporting a patient. Finally it will help diagnose and treat sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea.

Thank you for helping us improve healthcare for patients throughout our region who require the services of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

Case For Support 2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 Case For Support, we raised funds for EKG, Emergency, ICU, Medical Imaging,  Orthopedics and Surgical equipment.

This vital equipment is used for the ablation treatment of liver, renal, lung and breast cancers; it can detect the H-pylori infection without requiring endoscopy; as well as help minimize radiation exposure and personal injury. It can provide increased quality of care for patients having arthroscopic repairs of the meniscus and ACL. It is also used to view, diagnose and treat relatively inaccessible structures of the shoulder. A brand new stress test machine used to measure the heart's ability to respond to external stress. It enhances timely & safe intubation of difficult airways and able advanced hemodynamic management of critical patients. Finally, it evacuates potentially harmful surgical smoke and odors reducing health hazards and improving visibility during a variety of  procedures.

This equipment has helped improve medical services for patients at Western Memorial Regional Hospital.  

Case For Support 2012-2013

In the 2012-2013 Case For Support, we raised funds for the Maternal Newborn, Medical Imaging, Renal Dialysis and Orthopedics departments. It  also included improved acute patient monitoring equipment and enhanced pain control devices.

This  equipment  will enhance the care provided to newborn babies and their mothers through labor and delivery, and to newborns who require additional care after birth. It will also enable better monitoring and care of patients during procedures and transport, diagnose and monitor treatment of osteoporosis, perform less invasive orthopedic surgeries, especially knee and shoulder repairs, meaning  less pain for the patient, smaller incisions, faster healing, decreased chance of infection, and less scarring.  It will facilitate enhanced scanning and computer-guided biopsy tests for breast cancer and measure the volume of a tumor in the breast to help specialists plan surgery and radiation therapy.

Together we can improve healthcare for patients throughout our region who require the services of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

Case For Support 2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 Case For Support, we raised funds for Laparoscopic and Gynecology Equipment. With funds raised, we will purchase two advanced, minimally invasive, fully integrated laparoscopic surgical suites and upgrade several key pieces of gynecology equipment. This state-of-the-art non-invasive equipment will  impact healthcare for all people in our region.

This vital equipment will enhance visualization allowing surgeons to perform procedures with less manipulation. It will enable the use of smaller incisions causing less scarring and trauma to the patient and lead to quicker post-surgical recovery times and improved surgical outcomes. It will help diagnose and treat uterine adhesions, septums, polyps and fibroids and perform less invasive treatments than hysterectomy with equally effective results. It will facilitate the collection of tissue samples for biopsy to test for cancer. It will help increase fertility and decrease miscarriages in patients with fibroids and septums. It will reduce surgical wait times and the need to travel for certain surgical procedures. Finally, it will help specialists visualize and remove kidney stones.

All of this equipment improved Western Memorial Regional Hospital through enhanced surgical and gynecology services.

Case For Support 2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 Case For Support, we raised funds for Fundamental Diagnostic Equipment. This state-of-the-art non-invasive equipment will impact healthcare from the unborn baby to the senior citizen.

The General Purpose Ultrasound is  multipurpose and portable. It can do everything from assessing babies in the womb to checking blood flow in major arteries to diagnosing many types of cancer. It will also decrease wait times in the medical imaging department. The Ultrasound Unit for the Main OR will allow placement of intravenous lines into the major blood vessels with greater accuracy and fewer complications and allow access to administer drugs and monitor patients during major surgeries. The Portable Ultrasound Unit for Emerg will provide a quick look into the body for signs of bleeding or injury in trauma cases. It can also be used in abdominal pain patients, kidney stones and placing large IV's into major blood vessels for treatment and monitoring. The  Video Gastroscopes and Colonoscopes will aid in investigating patients with gastrointestinal disorders. They are used in the treatment and diagnosis of bleeding problems in the abdomen and in the prevention of colon cancer. Finally, the Boom Arms and Monitors for the OR are among the most vital and relied upon pieces of medical equipment, serving as a watchful eye alerting caregivers to potential life-threatening complications. This will bring the surgical suites up to the current best practice in OR design.

All of this equipment will help improve Western Memorial Regional Hospital through improved imagery, enhanced diagnostic tools, and cancer prevention. It will help provide a higher degree of service for patients throughout our region who require the services of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

Case For Support 2008-2009

In the 2008-2009 Case For Support, we  raised funds for Advanced Ophthalmology Equipment.

This equipment will  be used in the early diagnosis and monitoring of retinal and macular diseases as well as in the management of pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic patients. It will enable clinicians to better diagnose potential problems and will provide a much  more proactive approach to treating various diseases of the eye than is possible with the current equipment available.

This equipment will provide a much higher level of overall eye care to the residents of Western Newfoundland, it will help reduce the amount of patient travel  that is currently required for diagnoses and treatment of eye diseases, and it will add immensely to the educational and recruitment endeavours of the Ophthalmology Department of Western Memorial Regional Hospital.

Previous Years' Case For Support Purchases

The following is a sampling of equipment that has been purchased by funds raised through the Western Regional Hospital Foundation over the years:

  • Short Stay Acute Care Holding Unit
  • Organized Stroke Care Unit
  • Laboratory Equipment
  • External Fetal Heart Monitors
  • Anesthesia Equipment
  • CT Scanner
  • Mammography Machine
  • Heart Monitors
  • Bed Replacements
  • YAG Laser
  • Defibrillator
  • RGM Monitor
  • Portable VitalSigns Monitor
  • Equipment for O'Connell Centre
  • Phaco-Emulsification System
  • Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Inst.
  • 12 Renal Dialysis Machines
  • Holter Monitoring Equipment
  • C-Arm Image Intensifier
  • Ultrasound Unit with Doppler
  • Portable X-Ray Unit
  • Rapid Film Changer
  • Digital Fluoroscopy Machine with C-˜Arm
  • Urology Table
  • 26 Pieces of Equipment for Emergency Department
  • Gamma Camera
  • Fetal Monitor
  • Omega Laser for O'Connell Center
  • 2 Defibrillators for Deer Lake
  • Electric Bed for Deer Lake
  • Furnished 5 Patient Lounges
  • Pediatric Playroom
  • Bone Densitometer
  • Echocardiography Machine
  • Aided Chemo Campaign
  • Passive Motion (Ortho)
  • Ambulance
  • Shower Trolley
  • Ventilator
  • Ice Machine
  • 4 Cardiac Monitors
  • Mammography Viewer
  • Pain Pump
  • Multislice Spiral CT Scanner
  • Cardiac Monitors for Pediatrics
  • Digital EEG
  • Replacement - Laparoscopic
  • Aided Palliative Care Unit
  • Equipment for Pediatric Unit
  • Medical Equipment for Surgery, Medicine, OBS/Gynecology, Anesthesia, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Emergency, Laboratory & OPD/Emergency
  • Infant Isolette Incubator
  • Equipment for Pediatric Unit
  • Equipment for 3rd Floor
  • Equipment for Intensive Care Unit
  • Equipment for Mental Health Dept.
  • Equipment for Palliative Care
  • Equipment for Physiotherapy Department
  • Equipment for Norris Point Clinic
  • Equipment for Speech & Hearing Department
  • O'Connell Bus
  • Vascular Equipment
  • Patient Monitoring System - Intensive Care Unit
  • Revamp 5 OR Suites
  • Direct Digital Radiography Unit
  • Arthroscopic Surgery Equipment, Glide Scope, IVP Tomo Room, Transport Monitor, Diagnostic Hysteroscope, Anesthetic Machine, Teaching Microscope, Ultrasound Vascular Access Guide, Vascular OR Table