‘The problem is the patient experience': Smith overhauls Alberta health portfolio
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, right, and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange provide an update on what steps the government is taking related to allegations by former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos, in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
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CBC
39 minutes ago
- CBC
Bob Probert's family helps open Tecumseh health care campus in his name
Family members of the late Detroit Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert celebrated what would have been his 60th birthday on Thursday by helping open the Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) Tecumseh campus named in his honour. The Bob Probert Tecumseh Campus offers specialized outpatient programs, including cardiac wellness, rehab outreach, outpatient rehab services and geriatric services, according to a news release from HDGH. Probert's widow, Dani Probert, said the official opening was more emotional than she expected it to be. "Typically on Bob's birthday, we like to celebrate quietly, privately," she said. "The kids and I are sitting with his favourite music and eating all of his favourite foods. And today, it seemed so appropriate to be with the community at an event like this. … I think the community of Windsor-Essex has been so amazing with helping us in the grieving process over 10 years. So it seemed really special to be with the same people after all these years to spend his birthday." Bob Probert died in 2010 of a heart attack at the age of 45, eight years after his retirement from the National Hockey League. A feared enforcer and one-time all-star His 16-year career with the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks earned him a reputation as a feared enforcer who accumulated 3,300 penalty minutes – the fifth-highest total of all time. He also racked up 384 points, including 163 goals, and earned an All-Star nod during the 1987-88 season. For a decade after his death, his family helped organize the annual Bob Probert Ride, a fundraising motorcycle poker run in his honour, to raise money for health care. "The ride has achieved a lot over the years," Probert's daughter, Brogan, told the audience at the opening. "Since that very first meeting, we were able to support the cardiac cath lab on Ouellette, provide exercise equipment to the Petro Family Cardiac Wellness Centre on Prince Road, and now the Bob Probert Tecumseh campus will officially open. The impact that this campus will have on our community is greater than we originally had anticipated. It's incredible." The president and CEO of Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare said the campus has already seen around 700 patient visits since its soft opening on March 3. And there's been no reduction in the patient volume at the main campus on Prince Road, a spokesperson added. That demand is prompting the organization to think about expanding, Bill Marra said. "I've been in the public service for 37 years in a variety of leadership roles," he said. "This is one of the most grassroots community-based success stories I've ever been a part of – the family coming together over a catastrophic event, donors from a wide spectrum of corporate citizens, private citizens, a hospital institution, the Town of Tecumseh, organized labour. Think about that formula and look at where we're at today."
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Toronto's air quality currently among worst in world due to wildfire smoke
Environment Canada warns wildfire smoke from northern Ontario and out west is reducing visibility and worsening air quality in Toronto. Toronto's air quality is ranked among the worst in the world today as smoke from wildfires drifts into the region. The wildfire smoke has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special air quality statement for the GTA, much of southern Ontario, as well as five other provinces and one territory. Environment Canada's David Phillips said as wildfires ramp up across the country, air quality is deteriorating. He noted that since the beginning of the month, there are 15 new out-of-control wildfires burning in northern Ontario and Western Canada. 'What we've seen this week, of course, in Ontario is a lot of that smoke from fires has come south,' he said. On Friday, Toronto's air quality index is expected to hit a maximum of 7 out of 10, which is classified as 'high risk,' Environment Canada said. As of 11 a.m. on Friday, Toronto's air quality was ranked fourth worst in the world, according to data from Swiss air quality tracker IQAir. The only other Canadian city with worse air quality than Toronto on Friday was Montreal, which was ranked third worst among all cities globally. 'Only a few see the flames but millions smell the smoke,' Phillips said. In areas where the air quality statement is in effect, Environment Canada urged residents to limit their time spent outdoors. In Toronto, the national weather agency warned that smoke levels are expected to rise in the area this morning and into this afternoon before easing this evening. 'As smoke levels increase, health risks increase,' the advisory reads, adding that people should consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities, and events. It notes that smoke may cause mild irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat, and may lead to headaches or a mild cough. 'More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,' the advisory continued. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, pregnant and elderly individuals, as well as young children, are more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution. Phillips said while the air quality index is expected to 'bounce around' in Toronto this weekend, 'smelly air' will be sticking around until early next week. 'It took so long for the summer-like weather to come and when it came, not with blue skies… but some cruddy-smelling air that actually almost (makes you wish) spring-like weather was back,' he said.
National Post
3 hours ago
- National Post
Dilawri Foundation makes historic $60-million donation to VGH, UBC
Article content Four and a half years ago, Ajay Dilawri's father, Ram Dilawri, began experiencing heart troubles. Article content The Dilawris, founders of Dilawri Automotive Group, the largest automotive dealership in Canada, immediately began consulting with experts at leading heart institutes across the U.S. and around the world, most of whom recommended complex open-heart surgery. Article content Article content Article content 'My father was looking for another, less-frightening option,' said Dilawri. Then they heard about Dr. David Wood, head of the division of cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital and the UBC Hospital. Article content 'We heard that if anyone could save my father's life without open heart surgery, it would be him.' Article content Article content The donation, a gift from the Dilawri Automotive Group's charitable foundation, is the largest in VGH and UBC Hospital history, and will fund the new institute, led by Wood. Article content 'Like so many families, ours has been personally touched by heart disease,' said Dilawri. 'It's a cause that hits close to home.' Article content Wood's vision, of a leading cardiovascular institute in Vancouver, was bold. Article content 'Why can't we create the Mayo Clinic of the North right here in Vancouver?' Wood said at Thursday's event. Article content Article content Article content Article content Wood said the institute will have 15 centres that will be ready to treat patients immediately, and will include centres for Indigenous heart health, women's heart health, youth heart health, and core research areas such as a centre for AI, data science and imaging, as well as the centre for cardiovascular innovation. Article content 'We are going to transform how we care for patients. Replacing heart valves on patients, and going home three hours later — using new technologies to treat heart rhythm problems before they become permanent, so you can go on to live a long and healthy life, minimally invasive heart surgery using robots and small incisions,' said Wood.
