Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada!

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SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA)

Oct 13, 2011, 05:52 ET

MONTREAL, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - This morning, Premier Jean Charest and Shriners Hospitals for Children® leadership located in Montreal have proceeded to the grounbreaking for the new Shriners Hospital for Children on the Glen Campus adjacent to the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Also present were Health Minister Yves Bolduc, M.D., the Honourable Arthur T. Porter, directeur général et chef de la direction du CUSM, Michael Severe, President of the Board of Directors of Shriners International and Chairman of the Board of Shriners Hospitals for Children, Douglas Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children and many other dignitaries. Patient representatives Natalie Cinman and Luca Patuelli participated in the official groundbreaking and the national anthems were sung by hospital patient Jérémy Gabriel.

M. Raoul Frevel, Chairman of the Building & Equipment Committee of the National Board: "This new space more of 207 000 sq. ft. will allow the implementation of care and rehabilitation facilities at the cutting edge of technology that will include new services such as a movement analysis laboratory for clinical treatments and research and a surgical skills laboratory and education centre to continue to improve our teaching mandate as well as the care we offer to meet the needs of current and future patients."

Since the announcement of the construction in 2010, the architectural firm of André Ibghy architects was retained and, guided by a Construction Committee composed of representatives of the head office and the Montreal hospital, has developed building plans which integrate high-technology and the family-centered care approach. Patients and families who arrive at the front entrance drop-off, will be protected from the elements by a signature glass marquise. The Shriners hospital will be linked to the Montreal Childrens Hospital on several floors, with a view to operational efficiencies and ease of access for patients and families. The environement will be bright and welcoming to children.The six floor building punctuates the west end of the MUHC Glen Campus with an exclamation mark.

"The extraordinary goundswell of support that we have experience since 2005 to keep the Shriners Hospitals for children in Montreal, has truly come to fruition today and we can now enjoy the fruits of our labour. Imagine what Montreal will become in the coming years: The CHUM and the MUHC will welcome their first patients, The CHU Sainte-Justine and the Jewish General Hospital will expand and the new Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada will be completed! It is without a doubt that Montreal will be considered a true world leader in healthcare". expressed the mayor of Montreal, Gerald Tremblay.

Douglas Maxwell, President and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children emphasized: "the transfer of property has been signed, and if everything goes according to schedule, construction will begin in the spring of 2013 and the completion of the work and the move will take place in the summer 2015. Construction costs are estimated at $ 127 million."

Robert Drummond, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Governors, Shriners Hospitals for children - Canada announced: "We expect that this new facility with the technology and ultramodern facilities will allow us to continue to recruit some of the best pediatric surgeons, orthopedists, researchers and health care professionals to continue to provide the best possible care to children in Quebec, the Canada and around the world." We want to make this hospital a true model of excellence"

"A project of this scale cannot be undertaken without collaboration of our partners, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Quebec, the McGill Uthe niversity Health McGill and the Montreal Children's Hospital, SNC Lavalin and our architect, André Ibghy for work already done and to come" concluded Michael G. Severe, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shriners International.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children^®- Canada

Located in Montreal, Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada is a bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing elective pediatric orthopaedic health care. The role of the hospital is to promote health and to provide treatment and rehabilitation to children with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems. The hospital is committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education and to providing a caring environment to families. The hospital is affiliated with McGill University and provides clinical experience and teaching for residents and allied professionals. The hospital is present in communities across Canada thanks to Telemedicine, Outreach Clinics and since January 2009, a Satellite Clinic in Winnipeg. Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada has been helping kids defy the odds since its opening on February 18, 1925.

SOURCE SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA)

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Image with caption: " CNW Médias Sociaux; Communiqués- enfants; Santé et bien-être ; Établissement de soins de santé; pelletée; construction; Hôpital; architecture; urbanisme (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4527.jpg

Image with caption: "Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada!(CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4534.jpg