May 1, 2024
(Burnaby, BC) Burnaby Hospital Foundation is honoured to announce a donation of $500,000 from BMO supporting the Bright Future Redevelopment Campaign, which raises critical funds for the hospital’s redevelopment. In honour of this gift, the Foundation also announced the newly named BMO Emergency Department Zone 2, where emergency ambulatory care will be provided to patients.
BMO is a financial institution that is committed to supporting the needs of the communities that it serves. Recognizing the vital role that the hospital plays in the community, BMO is directing its support towards the hospital’s redevelopment, which will modernize and expand medical services, including crucial upgrades to the Emergency Department.
“The need for access to healthcare services is growing across our region and we are extremely proud that BMO’s support will be used to enhance medical care and treatment for patients at Burnaby Hospital,” said James Kitamura, Regional President Personal Banking, BC Region, BMO. “Aligned with our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, this gift will provide greater access to quality healthcare – reinforcing BMO’s commitment to removing barriers to inclusion for our employees, customers, and the communities we serve.”
Burnaby Hospital’s Emergency Department is the second busiest in the region, seeing over 89,000 patients a year, in a space designed to care for 54,000 patients. The number of visits to Burnaby’s Emergency Department trails only Surrey Memorial Hospital in the Fraser Health Region and continues to increase rapidly, indicating the growing need for improved capacity of emergency services. Burnaby Hospital’s redevelopment brings an expanded Emergency Department with more space to accommodate modern equipment and includes a significant increase in the number of treatment bays.
The BMO Emergency Department Zone 2 provides ambulatory emergency care. Ambulatory care includes emergency medical services without the need for a traditional bed space and allows the patient to return home in the same day. Zone 2 is the busiest zone in the Emergency Department, with over 89% of visits receiving care from this zone.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the hospital, Kristy James, Burnaby Hospital Foundation President and CEO states, “BMO’s generous donation will help bring modern equipment to Burnaby Hospital’s new campus of care. Their contribution will have a profound impact on our hospital’s ability to provide exceptional care for the patients who rely on us when they need it most. Our Emergency Department currently provides acute medical care to Burnaby, East Vancouver and the surrounding communities, an area where over 500,000 people live and work.”
Construction of the first phase of redevelopment, which will expand and modernize emergency care, surgery, maternity and mental health services at the hospital, is on track to finish in 2025. When the entire redevelopment project is complete, the new campus of care will have almost 50% more beds, including two patient care towers and a cancer treatment centre.
A reception acknowledging the donation was held at Burnaby Hospital and was attended by BMO executives, Foundation leadership, hospital supporters, medical staff, and others. The event also included the announcement of the naming of the BMO Emergency Department Zone 2 and an acknowledgement of National Physicians Day, recognizing the extraordinary professionals working in Burnaby Hospital.
To learn more about the redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital, visit bhfoundation.ca/brightfuture
