The Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced that it has made a five-year, $100,000 pledge in support of William Osler Health System Foundation’s $100 million campaign to expand and redevelop Etobicoke General Hospital.
The total financial commitment by WEG, a longtime supporter of Etobicoke General, part of William Osler Health System (Osler), will see the funds designated towards building and equipping an expanded emergency department at the hospital.
The Orlando Corporation has launched a $15 million matching gift challenge. Under this challenge, the largest ever matching challenge to benefit a community hospital in Canada, Orlando will match, dollar-for-dollar, all donations made to each of Osler’s three hospital sites, including WEG’s $100,000 pledge.
“We are extremely grateful to our many friends at Woodbine Entertainment Group, not only for this significant donation, but also for their longstanding support of William Osler Health System and Etobicoke General Hospital” said Ken Mayhew, the president and CEO of William Osler Health System Foundation. “Their generosity continues to have a significant impact on the hospital and the many people who depend on its numerous services.”
The expansion of Etobicoke General is expected to be completed in 2019 and will include:
-
A larger, state-of-the-art emergency department
-
Cardiac Care and Intensive Care Units
-
A Maternal newborn unit with birthing suites and a specialized nursery
-
A new ambulatory procedures unit
-
Cardiorespiratory and neurodiagnostic services
A valued and loyal supporter of Etobicoke General since its inception, WEG, through donations that now total over $400,000, has had a significant influence on areas of need designated by the hospital, including renewal and redevelopment projects, such as Diagnostic Cardiology and Day Surgery spaces.
This support has helped expand the hospital’s Laboratory, Diagnostic Cardiology, and Day Surgery spaces and significantly enhance patient services for their hospital that serves Vaughan, Bolton, Caledon, east Mississauga and the northwest corner of Toronto and north Etobicoke.
WEG’s support has also come in the form of sponsorships and the use of Woodbine Racetrack’s facilities for fundraising events in support of Osler.
“Woodbine Entertainment Group is dedicated to helping local hospitals to ensure that those in our community have access to the best possible health care when they need it,” said Jim Lawson, the chief executive officer of WEG. “We feel a strong responsibility to make our communities healthy. Etobicoke General is on the cutting edge of what hospitals are striving to be in the future. They are pioneering health care and treating patients as people first, while providing crucial services. This approach is taking health care to the next level and we applaud their efforts.”
In 2012, a special plaque was mounted in the hospital's Emergency department, recognizing WEG’s impact on the families and patients who utilize EGH’s wide range of services.
(WEG)