NEWS

January 16, 2008

Arkona Lioness give $2,000 to SMGH for Surgical Equipment

Members of the Arkona Lioness Club presented a $2,000 donation to Nancy Switzer, Operating Room Nurse at Strathroy Hospital who accepted the donation on behalf of SMGH Foundation. The donation will help purchase new surgical equipment for hospital operating rooms.

Pictured above: (left-right) Nancy Switzer, SMGH Operating Room Nurse; Rita Koolen, Treasurer and Tina Nieuwenhuizen, President, from the Arkona Lioness.

Strathroy Hospital Foundation is currently raising $200,000.00 for much needed new surgical equipment. This includes purchasing new surgical instruments, a new ureteroscope, sterile field tables, and a video system for laparoscopic procedures.

Laparoscopic surgical instruments allow SMGH surgeons to perform minimally invasive operations. Surgery is done through very small incisions where a tiny camera shows the surgery on a video system. Patients recover from minimally invasive surgery much faster with overall better pain and symptom control, and less risk of infection.

“As technology continues to change rapidly, its because of generous contributions from the community groups - like the Arkona Lioness, that enables us to continue to provide a high standard of care for patients,” said Dr. Ian Ferguson, Chief of Surgery, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital.

Pictured above: Dr. Ian Ferguson, Chief of Surgery, SMGH.

This isn't the first time the Arkona Lioness have contributed to Strathroy Hospital, in the past they have donated over $7000.00 during the 'Building Together campaign' to help purchase an infusion pump for the Emergency Department at SMGH.

"Members of our club and residents from Arkona use the hospital all the time, everybody benefits from the services and it's very important to the community," said Rita Koolen, Treasurer, Arkona Lioness.

The Lioness Club has initiated and participated in various projects and activities aimed at developing the resources and opportunities for Arkona and area citizens and fostering community interaction and involvement.