Join Us in Elevating Surgical Care at Canmore General Hospital 

Canmore, a vibrant and growing community nestled in the heart of the Alberta mountains, is experiencing unprecedented growth. With major developments on the horizon, the demand for surgical services at Canmore General Hospital is surging. Each year, over 650 patients rely on our hospital for essential surgical procedures, and this number continues to rise.

Your support for the Canmore Hospital Foundation’s Surgical Equipment Campaign will ensure that our hospital remains equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community. With inadequate storage in our medication room and outdated surgical equipment, it’s imperative that we take action now to enhance patient care and safety.

“We’re very lucky to have the public health care system that we have, but there are certain things that individual communities would benefit from that the government won’t support or can’t support.”

– Dr. Mike Wickham, Emergency Department Lead, Canmore General Hospital

Why Your Support Matters

Canmore General Hospital, established in 1984, has been a cornerstone of our community’s healthcare landscape for nearly four decades. However, key areas of the facility, including our two surgical suites, have remained largely unchanged. As our community grows, so too must our ability to deliver high-quality surgical care.

In response to this growing demand, two new surgeons have recently joined our team, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to our surgical program. Led by Dr. Matt Muirhead, our surgical staff has identified critical equipment needs to ensure optimal patient outcomes. These include:

• Cameras (4K), telescopes, and monitors: Essential for precise visualization during surgical procedures. Cost: $20,000.

• Bipolar resectoscopes: Used for minimally invasive procedures, reducing patient discomfort and recovery time. Cost: $15,000.

• Hasson cannula and trocars: Facilitate safe access to the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgeries. Cost: $10,000.

• Omni hysteroscopes: Enables detailed examination and treatment of uterine abnormalities. Cost: $10,000.

• Laparoscopic scissors: Precision instruments for cutting and dissecting tissues during minimally invasive surgeries. Cost: $10,000.

These updates are essential to delivering safe and effective surgical care to our community.

“The funding the hospital receives outside of the Foundation really just gets us to a baseline,” said Dr. Matt Muirhead, “it’s important not just to maintain what you’re doing already but to be able to grow. A good example is laparoscopic surgery, an area where our equipment has frankly been substandard for a long time. Things won’t be replaced if they’re serviceable. What we’ve always had has been okay for standard care, but to push beyond that, you need a new, more modern set of tools.”

Your Gift Creates a Legacy of Wellness

Your donation to the Canmore Hospital Foundation is an investment in the health and well-being of our community. As a registered charity, separate from the hospital, the Foundation works tirelessly to enhance patient care through equipment purchases, programs, staff education, and facility improvements. With your support, we have raised over $12 million dollars over the past two decades, leaving a lasting legacy of wellness and support for generations to come. 

“The hospital has seen substantial growth in the past few decades and with it, improvements, and expansions to the services it provides. The Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation has been an integral part of this.”

– Barb Shellian, Director of Bow Valley Community and Rural Health