Redefining t he Landscape of Surger y on Vancouver Island
In its endeavor to elevate and strengthen Island hospital care, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) is exceptionally proud to commit its largest investment into Royal Jubilee (RJH) and Victoria General (VGH) hospitals through a multi-phase campaign, It’s Time
The first phase, It’s Time for Surgical Innovation, is raising $17 million to bring brand-new minimally invasive surgical procedures to the Island The campaign will introduce robotics and a suite of innovative surgical equipment at RJH and VGH across five surgical specialities: general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology (ENT) and urology, further advancing minimally invasive local surgical procedures
Over 31,000 surgeries were performed at RJH and VGH last year the acute centres on Vancouver Island
“What I love about practicing in Victoria is that the level of care in our community is much more personalized than what I have seen in bigger centres and the level of care is just as good I attribute this to our incredible care teams, and to the incredible donors to the Foundation who ensure we have the specialized equipment we need.
With the right instruments, many of our surgeries can be done laparoscopically meaning that not only do our patients go home sooner and recover faster, they also are left with minimal scarring. The new SPYPHI we will be getting is as close as we can get to a crystal ball: it highlights key areas of the body such as tumors, lymph nodes, and blood vessels in a distinct colour, to support an incredibly precise removal of the designated tissue, helping to preserve as much of the healthy tissue as possible
I am just so grateful this campaign is supporting women’s health.” Dr. Mona Mazgani, Gynecology
“I sincerely thank the donors who are and will support surgical equipment, specifically in the field of ENT, throughout the campaign and onwards. These equipment advancements truly allow us to provide up-to-date care for the Vancouver Island community.
Our ENT surgeons will be users of the robotics system, too. Robotic surgery is cutting-edge technology for the management of head and neck cancer. It will allow us to remove cancers that are simply impossible to reach with human hands. It is extraordinary: soon, we will be able to do minimally invasive procedures that previously required cutting into the jaw and left patients with permanent disfigurement, and difficulties in eating, speaking and swallowing. It’s going to change lives.” Dr. Roy Cheung, Division Head, Otolaryngology (ENT)
“Anyone who has been through one of our eye clinics knows that our team really loves what they do. It’s a passion that permeates throughout our division of 22 ophthalmologists, 17 active surgeons, and the entire team as a whole.
Through this campaign, we are equipping our retinal surgeons with the same amazing tools I have as a corneal transplant surgeon. The new equipment will mean better recovery times for our patients, faster surgical times—a benefit for both for our patients and for our waitlist, and more precise outcomes
A heartfelt thank you to everyone supporting our speciality through the Foundation. You are keeping us at the forefront.” Dr. Rusty Ritenour, Division Head, Ophthalmology
“I join my fellow general surgeons in sharing how grateful we are for this campaign that will undeniably support cancer care here in Victoria for all Islanders. We have an amazing team and an amazing drive, but we want to do more and to do more, we need best-inclass equipment.
Cancer has touched all of our families somehow. This new technology being funded through the campaign is a game-changer. We’re talking about less painful procedures, more precise and sophisticated care, and overall better outcomes for our patients.” Dr. Cailan MacPherson, Division Head, General Surgery
VHF CEO Avery Brohman, left, Donor Terry Farmer, and VHF Staff Beth Cairns Terry and Leslie Farmer have generously pledged $250,000 to match all donations to the It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign from December 3 to 20. The Farmer family has deep roots in this community and within our hospitals. Leslie graduated from the RJH School of Nursing in 1962 and cared for patients at RJH throughout her career. Nursing was a calling for Leslie and brought her a community of friends who still see each other regularly to this day Terry has been an innovative leader in hospitality and staunch promoter of tourism in the region for decades But most of all, Terry is a grateful patient of our hospitals.
“Over the years I have received truly exceptional care at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals. I always say, motion is lotion, and an active life has served me well but at some point we all need the care of our hospitals. The Victoria Hospitals Foundation is just the best Leslie and I were so inspired by the It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign and what it will mean for Island patients We hope our passion for exceptional healthcare inspires others to consider giving – it truly takes all of us to bring surgical innovation to Vancouver Island ” Terry Farmer
During the Canada Post strike, Maximum Express is offering complimentary courier service for donation cheque pick-ups. Please contact our VHF team at 250-519-1750 or vhf@islandhealth.ca to arrange this complimentary courier service.
Pictured: Dr Rusty Ritenour (Ophthalmology), Dr Catherine O’Brien (Orthopedics), Dr Jeff McCracken (Urology), Dr Cailan MacPherson (General Surgery), Dr Mona Mazgani (Gynecology), Dr Mike Metcalfe (Urology), and Dr Stephen Hentschel (Neurosurgery)
Dr Rusty Ritenour
Dr Mona Mazgani
Dr Cailan MacPherson
Dr Roy Cheung
I have dreamed of writing this to my community for over 18 years, and I am touched that the time has finally come. Robotic surgery is becoming the standard worldwide for urology, and for many other specialities such as general, gynecological, thoracic, and cardiac surgery. I am thrilled to share that we are meeting the moment now.
When it comes to urology, we have championed a number of firsts here at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals. We were one of the first sites in British Columbia to start doing laparoscopic urologic surgeries, meaning minimally invasive surgery through keyhole incisions. We have also done more minimally invasive kidney-sparing surgeries (where we remove tumours from kidneys while preserving the remainder of the kidney) than anywhere else on the West Coast.
We’ve taken innovation as far as we can and now we need help. Robotics is key: it’s the evident progression of surgical innovation. With a robot, the instruments we use for minimally invasive surgery now have the concept of wrists inside of them. This gives us a proper arc of motion and is so important when the tools we are using
for removal and suturing are less than seven millimetres wide, or the width of a fingernail. Robotics minimize and direct our movement to prevent any unnecessary trauma to the tissues.
The benefits of robotic surgery are extraordinary: enhanced precision, improved visualization, reduced risk of complications and infections, enhanced recovery for patients, and so on. For urology specifically, we can use the example of prostate removals—90% of which are done using robotics in the United States. When we use robotics in those cases, we see 90% less blood transfusions, 50% shorter stay in the recovery room, and 60% shorter stay in hospital. In additions there is much lower demand for post-op care, allowing nursing staff to tend to more urgent patients. We have a reachable goal to perform 60% of robotic prostatectomies as day procedures in the future.
I am excited for what robotics will mean for caregivers. Our nurses are the true backbone of hospital care—they do so much, and we treasure them. With robotics, we are alleviating the intensity and length of the care they provide in recovery. Soon, we will have this stream
Over my twenty-five years of teaching, my elementary school students have nicknamed me “The Hulk.” Perhaps it’s my larger-than-life passion for education, physical health, and my family. But when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, I suddenly didn’t feel like I was invincible, or too strong for anything at all... I didn’t feel like “The Hulk” anymore. Part of me was shocked. How can this be possible? I’m one of the fittest people
I know at my age. Part of me wasn’t surprised, as it had been a recurring issue in my family. Part of me was terrified. It could be a long and hard road ahead. What about my wife, Lisa? What about my students? What about my parents? Cancer is always harder on our loved ones.
Thankfully, Dr. Iain McAuley was my urologist and he referred me to his colleague, Dr. Jeff McCracken. In my own research, I found that Dr. McCracken
of patients who usually go from surgery to the recovery room to a few days on the ward, be able to go home right after the procedures. It’s going to decompress the system as a whole.
We’re going to be one of the few community centers now that has this technology to recruit great talent—it really is that impressive what we are doing here.
I can speak on behalf of all urologists, and many of my fellow surgeons, when I say how thankful we are that robotics is coming to our Victoria hospitals—this is only made possible by Foundation donors. Together, we are going all in, and bringing surgical innovation—including robotics— to the forefront. I have never felt more excited, and more hopeful for the future of surgery on Vancouver Island.
Most profusely, I thank those in the community who will join us in raising the bar when it comes to surgical care in our hospitals. This is going to change and save lives.
With utmost gratitude, Dr. Jeff McCracken, Chief Urologist
Read Dr. McCracken’s Full Letter: VictoriaHF.ca/McCracken
A Surgeon’s 18-Year Dream Getting Back to Being “The Hulk”
had the best stats in BC for the radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) surgery I would need.
I also discovered that robotic surgery was an excellent option. What I didn’t know then was that robotic surgery wasn’t an option in Victoria... not yet, anyway
Though I considered going to Vancouver for robotic surgery, it didn’t seem practical. I decided to stay in Victoria, under the care of Dr. McCracken. He is a rockstar in his field, and I couldn’t have asked for a better surgeon.
Imagine what a surgeon like him, and others in the same field, could accomplish for their patients with the latest innovations like robotics.
I could have gone home the same day of my surgery, with much less pain. The first stage of my recovery would have been reduced from 9 weeks to 2-3 weeks. Perhaps I wouldn’t have had a clot...
All to say, these top surgeons in Victoria need the latest robotic innovations to take their patient care to the next level.
I would give Dr. McAuley and Dr. McCracken the stars if I could. Perhaps, getting them robotics is just as close.
— Steve Marta, Grateful Patient
Read Steve’s Full Story: VictoriaHF.ca/Steves-Story
Dr. Jeff McCracken with the da Vinci Surgical Robotics System Coming To Royal Jubilee Hospital
Grade 2/3 teacher and prostate cancer survivor Steve Marta
