robotic-assisted surgery gets an upgrade at health sciences north
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health sciences north staff and local 6500 of the united steelworkers mark the union’s $65,000 donation to surgical care at sudbury’s hospital. supplied photo
patients in sudbury and northeastern ontario will get better care as a result of a $65,000 donation from local 6500 of the united steelworkers.
the money will be used to upgrade surgical care at health sciences north in sudbury, including robotic-assisted surgery and a future hybrid operating room.
“this kind of long-standing support means a lot to our hospital and our region,” anthony keating, ceo of hsn foundation, said in a release. “it helps us bring in the tools and technology our surgical teams need to deliver the best care possible while keeping patients close to home.”
robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through smaller incisions, which can mean less pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery for patients.
a hybrid operating room combines traditional surgery with advanced imaging, giving surgeons real-time detail during complex procedures and improving precision and safety.
dr. santosh pudupakkam, a vascular surgeon at hsn, said the technology will make a real difference for patients.
“it allows us to do more precise, less-invasive surgery,” he said. “it also means patients can often avoid travelling to toronto for care, and we can treat more complex cases safely right here at hsn.”
right now, many patients in northeastern ontario still need to travel outside the region for some advanced surgical procedures.
bringing this type of technology to hsn will help close that gap and ensure more patients can receive advanced care closer to home, keating said.
“this is about making sure people here have the same access to care as anywhere else in the province,” he said. “thanks to partners like usw local 6500, we’re getting closer to that.”
the donation comes through the union’s community project fund. originally planning a $50,000 gift, local 6500 members voted to increase it to $65,000 in recognition of their ongoing commitment to hsn and the community.
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“we have many members who have been exposed to chemicals and other risks over the course of their working lives, and with a largely male membership, we see the impact conditions like prostate cancer can have,” said raymond hammond, president of usw local 6500. “this is about making sure our members and community can access the best care possible without having to leave the region.”
local 6500 represents more than 3,000 production and maintenance workers in mining, milling, smelting, and refining at vale’s operations in sudbury.
the announcement was marked by a cheque presentation with union members, hospital staff, and clinicians, celebrating a partnership that has spanned more than 37 years.
over that time, usw local 6500 has contributed more than $1 million to the hsn foundation.
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