BHP $1 million gift launching a new era for X-ray imaging at RUH
SASKATOON, June 03, 2024 - Royal University Hospital Foundation and BHP are pleased to announce a $1 million donation from BHP that will transform the way the most utilized diagnostic procedure - X-ray imaging -- is done at Royal University Hospital (RUH).
BHP's donation to Royal University Hospital Foundation to fund new state-of-the-art digital technology for RUH's two busiest X-ray suites will replace outdated computer and lengthier cassette-based processes in use for almost 20 years at the hospital. As a result, medical teams throughout RUH will have instant access to higher-quality images allowing for quicker decision-making and implementation of treatment plans.
"BHP is honoured to help bring new state-of-the-art X-ray technology to RUH to support advanced care and ultimately save lives in the province," says Karina Gistelinck, BHP's Asset President Potash. "There is nothing more important than the health of our families and loved ones. We are proud to be part of the Saskatchewan community and to play a role in supporting the health and wellness of the broader community."
The provincial government welcomes BHP's contribution in supporting equipment replacement for the X-ray suites at RUH.
"On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I want to extend our thanks and gratitude to BHP for their generous donation that will help modernize the X-ray suites at the Royal University Hospital and will greatly benefit patients," says Health Minister Everett Hindley. "Thank you also to the Royal University Hospital Foundation for their long-standing commitment and fundraising efforts to support medical excellence and advancements in care for patients at our province's largest hospital. Announcements like this demonstrate the importance of a growing and prosperous economy that is able to support investment into essential services like health care."
Annually, RUH's General X-ray Department sees 68,000 patients and performs approximately 81,000 exams in its three X-ray rooms, which includes the two being upgraded through the support of BHP. X-rays are often the initial diagnostic resource requested by medical teams to help them assess, guide treatment, and monitor progress for a range of illnesses and injuries, for example, associated with emergency and trauma cases to planned orthopedic and various cancer surgeries.
"BHP's generous gift will improve RUH's X-ray imaging to produce higher quality images while using a reduced dose of radiation making the environment safer for both patients and medical teams," says Bryan Witt, Vice President of Clinical and Support Services for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). "Better image quality leads to a more accurate diagnosis resulting in more timely and effective treatment."
Royal University Hospital Foundation is extremely thankful to BHP for its generous gift and its commitment to advancing patient care excellence at RUH.
"We are very fortunate to have a community partner like BHP whose generosity is so important in keeping the province's largest clinical, teaching, and research hospital at the forefront of modern medicine in Saskatchewan," says Jennifer Molloy, CEO, Royal University Hospital Foundation. "With the support of donors like BHP, we are helping ensure patients with the most life-threatening illnesses and injuries receive the best specialized and complex life-saving care available in the province while at RUH."
The refurbished X-ray suites are expected to be operational later this year. In recognition of BHP's generosity, RUH's medical imaging area is being named "BHP Medical Imaging Centre."
(Editors: Please see next page for corporate and media contact information)
ABOUT ROYAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Royal University Hospital Foundation, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the philanthropic bridge between the community and Royal University Hospital, the largest clinical, teaching and research hospital in the province. RUH Foundation, a registered charity, and its donors provide RUH with the additional resources it needs to advance patient care innovation and excellence in order to provide life-saving care to the most sick and injured from across Saskatchewan. Further information on RUH Foundation can be found at ruhf.org
ABOUT BHP
BHP is a global resources company with its Canadian operational headquarters in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and global business development headquarters in Toronto. BHP has a global workforce of approximately 80,000 people working in locations across Canada, Australia, Asia, the UK, US and Latin America. BHP produces commodities essential for global decarbonisation, economic development, and food security including copper, nickel, iron ore, metallurgical coal and is developing the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan, Canada. Further information on BHP can be found at bhp.com
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Royal University Hospital Foundation
Daryl Oshanek
Senior Communications Officer
306-655-0628
daryl.oshanek@ruhf.org
BHP
Megan Hjulfors
Media Relations
BHP
403-605-2314
