Operation Starlight results in ground-breaking
procedure at Health Sciences Centre
July 6, 2007
Earlier today, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
released the results of its “Operation Starlight”
appeal in support of neurosurgical equipment. |
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“Through the generosity of donors, the Health
Sciences Foundation has raised $150,000.00,” announced
Janis Beebe, Health Sciences Foundation Board Vice-chair.
The funds have purchased specialized equipment for patients
with brain and spinal injuries, diseases and disorders.
“The equipment is already in place and making
a difference in the treatment of neurosurgical patients,”
Beebe adds.
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“When dealing with neurosurgical issues,
time is of the essence. Having access to specialized
neurosurgical equipment means I can treat patients quickly,”
says Dr. Iftikharul Haq, Neurosurgeon at Thunder Bay
Regional Health Sciences Centre and honourary co-chair
of Operation Starlight. “We have already seen
dramatic successes.” |
The equipment provides surgeons with greater precision and
accuracy when operating in delicate areas and allows them
to see real real-time images of the brain and spinal cord.
In fact, with the use of new neurosurgical equipment, Dr.
Haq recently performed Thunder Bay’s first implementation
of an artificial disc. The patient suffered from a herniated
disc in her cervical spine. Within hours of replacing the
herniated disc with an artificial one, the patient had full
range of motion of her neck. The pain and spasms she had previously
experienced were eliminated and she no longer required a brace
or collar.
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Barry Third, honourary co-chair of Operation Starlight,
understands first-hand the importance of state-of-the-art
neurosurgical equipment at the Health Sciences Centre.
Having recently undergone a neurosurgical procedure
at the Health Sciences Centre, he is most grateful to
the community for contributing to Operation Starlight.
“Any one of us could, at any time, find ourselves
in need of Neurosurgical services and talented Neurosurgeons
like Dr. Haq,” says Third. “I was able to
receive treatment here at home when I needed it.” |
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Modern equipment is vital to patient care at our
Health Sciences Centre. “State-of-the-art Neurosurgical
equipment assists the Health Sciences Centre to provide
world-class care to patients here in Northwestern Ontario
and helps to recruit, train and retain physicians,”
explains Ron Nelson, Chair of the Board of the Health
Sciences Centre. As the only neurosurgical centre between
Winnipeg and Sudbury, and one of only eleven designated
trauma centres in the province, the Health Sciences
Centre conducts 200 neurosurgical procedures each year.
“As demonstrated by Dr. Haq’s successful
artificial disk insertion, the new Neurosurgical equipment
enables us to establish new standards for patient care,”
Nelson says. “I congratulate the Health Sciences
Foundation on the success of Operation Starlight and
thank all donors for their generosity and vision.”
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Our Foundation raises funds to support the Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre in the delivery of excellence in acute
patient care, teaching and research for the people of Thunder
Bay and Northwestern Ontario. The funds support equipment
and initiatives to make exceptional care possible for everyone
in this community.
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