Durham Region - On Wednesday January 30, Lakeridge Health's Oshawa Hospital celebrated the unveiling of a new state-of-the-art inpatient pharmacy. Helping fund this extensive project was the Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa, who was acknowledged at the ribbon cutting for its $1 million donation towards the new space.
The renovated pharmacy has been in the works since 2014, and seeing it come to fruition marks a great start to the New Year for hospital staff and patients. Pharmacy staff are expected to move into their new workspace in February. Wilson Kwong, Director of Pharmacy has assisted with the renovation project from the beginning.
“Unveiling the new space today is extremely exciting for my team,” Kwong says. “Having access to not only a larger space to work but to new equipment will help us do our jobs better and safer.”
Every minute, three prescriptions are filled across Lakeridge Health. Staff and patients rely on our regional pharmacy experts to compound, fill and distribute those medications at this impressive speed.
“Almost every department of the hospital relies on the pharmacy for safe, timely and accurate distribution of medications, such as the Emergency Department, Medicine, and Surgery units, just to name a few,” says Kwong. “Having a new space and equipment such as a state-of-the-art sterile compounding room and flexible work stations will make it easier and more efficient for our staff to process medication orders, provide drug information and pharmacotherapy services.”
“It is wonderful to see the vision of the new inpatient regional pharmacy become a reality,” said Sharon Cochran, Chair, Board of Trustees, Lakeridge Health. “The updated design and equipment will promote the highest medication safety and quality standards and will support our team to provide the best care and experience for patients. On behalf of the entire hospital, I want to thank the Auxiliary for their dedication and generosity to people living and working in Durham Region.”
Helen Gulka, President of the Auxiliary of LHO said this was an important priority for all Auxiliary members.
“The inpatient pharmacy isn’t a well known area to the public,” Gulka explained. “But our members know the important role it plays for the entire Hospital. This is a big day for staff and we are thrilled to be a part of it too.”
In total, the Auxiliary of Lakeridge Health Oshawa has donated over $10 million to Oshawa Hospital over the years, an incredible accomplishment that has impacted our community in more ways than one.
“The Auxiliary’s generosity has transformed our Hospital for many years,” Yves Gadler, CEO of Lakeridge Health Foundation explained. “Having their ongoing commitment for Hospital priorities like this, in addition to other major campaigns is impressive and very much appreciated by everyone. Thank you Helen and all of the Auxiliary members for your support but also for your service to the Hospital.”
