Moose Jaw hospital foundation tops $8 million

MOOSE JAW — Throughout the years, residents of Moose Jaw have been active in improving health care in the community. And now there’s $8,275,608 to prove it.

On Monday, the Moose Jaw Health Foundation ( MJHF) announced it reached its Capital Equipment Campaign goal.

“Not only did our volunteers and donors hit that $8-million goal, but they shattered it,” said Kelly McElree, executive director of the MJHF.

The foundation also indicated it plans to raise money for the controversial hyperbaric chamber that is to be worked into the new hospital in The Friendly City.

James Murdock, chair of the MJHF, said the MJHF will unveil a plan in the coming weeks for the chamber, saying, “we’re committed to refurbishing and revitalizing the current chamber for future patients as well as building space onto the hospital to accommodate the chamber and enhancing other areas of our new hospital.”

The foundation launched its campaign 518 days ago, though planning began in 2011, when the provincial government announced Moose Jaw would be home to a new state-of-the-art hospital.

Cheryl Craig, CEO of the health region, said the money will help the region buy new equipment and thus “help us recruit new healthcare professionals, and to retain our excellent physicians and staff.”