By Taylor MacPherson

Hospital Foundation hosts Doctor’s Gala

Apr 9, 2017 | 12:00 PM

The Victoria Hospital Foundation held their second annual Doctor’s Gala last night to honour a long-serving Prince Albert surgeon and raise money for much-needed hospital equipment.

Hosted at Plaza 88, the gala was attended by more than 250 guests. The program included dinner and dancing, with music provided by the 18-piece Stone Frigate Band from Saskatoon.

“It is an event that our foundation introduced last year for the very first time,” Victoria Hospital Foundation Executive Director Sherry Buckler said. “The mission behind it is to celebrate our medical professionals while bringing together the community.”

Honoured at this year’s gala was Dr. David Stevens, an ear, nose and throat surgeon who has served the Prince Albert area for nearly three decades, as well as spending six years on the board of the Victoria Hospital Foundation. In addition to his work in the medical profession, Stevens has been involved with the Prince Albert Concert Choir for many years.

Buckler said the foundation selects their honouree based on their “commitment to their community above and beyond their practice,” which she said fit Stevens perfectly.

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“Dr. Stevens has been in the Prince Albert area for many years performing surgery. Many people know who he is and love him very much,” Buckler said. “He’s volunteered many, many hours of his time with the hospital and our foundation in particular, and he’s also a very strong supporter of the health region.”

Last year’s gala raised $42,000 for ear, nose and throat surgery, and this year the foundation chose to raise funds for new hospital equipment.

“This year we’re raising money for smart pumps for our hospital,” Buckler said. “It is a sophisticated, state-of-the-art technology for IV pumps, and it’s being standardized right across Saskatchewan.”

The smart pumps, Buckler explained, will mean increased patient safety as the machines ensure exact dosages to reduce the chance of an error. The machines can even deliver two medications at once through a single intravenous line.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews