Computed tomography (CT) is a medical imaging method capable of generating three-dimensional images, inside the body, non-invasively.
GE’s advanced imaging equipment, notably MRI and ultrasound, will be used to help doctors diagnose and treat athletes during the 2010 Olympic Games. GE is also conducting ongoing cardiac and musculoskeletal research with some or several National Olympic Teams in order to improve technology in sports medicine.
We are delighted that Whistler, a world-class destination, now has this essential equipment for residents and visitors,” notes Peter Foss, President, Olympic Sponsorship, GE. “Residents will no longer have to travel long distances for CT scans. It’s gratifying to know that one of GE’s innovative healthcare products will deliver substantial benefit within the Sea to Sky region.”
We are extremely pleased with the tremendous support from GE for the Legacy CT Scan,” notes Dr. Jack Taunton, VANOC Chief Medical Officer. “This legacy gift will help ensure that British Columbians seeking health care services at their local hospitals and clinics in Sea to Sky communities receive a high standard of care before, during, and after the 2010 Games.”
The Whistler Health Care Centre is part of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), which will provide operating funding for the CT scanner, expected to be in use by the end of 2008. “Physicians and clinicians are increasingly turning to diagnostic technology to better address the health needs of their patients and the community,” said Ida Goodreau, President and CEO of VCH. “This CT scanner will be an important legacy from the 2010 Winter Games, and demonstrates the strength of different organizations and foundations working in partnership to meet the needs of the people we serve.”
The Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District is providing approximately $1.21 million towards the $2.3 million construction and installation project. The remaining $1.1 million has been raised by the Whistler Health Care Foundation, the Squamish Hospital Foundation, and the Pemberton Health Care Foundation. “I am delighted to acknowledge the generosity of our community and the many donors who have contributed to this significant milestone,” notes Marnie Simon, Chairperson Whistler Health Care Foundation.
We are so grateful that GE has been generous enough to help our community improve its health care system,” notes Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi. “The CT Scanner will be appreciated immensely by the local community as well as visitors to the region.
GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to staging a successful Olympic Games. GE works closely with host countries, cities and organizing committees to provide infrastructure solutions for Olympic venues including power, lighting, water treatment, transportation and security, and to supply hospitals with ultrasound and MRI equipment to help doctors treat athletes. For more information, visit www.ge.com/olympicgames.
GE is Imagination at Work — a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, and media content, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.8 billion in community, hospital and residential care services to over one million people in communities from Richmond through Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
CONTACTS:
Kim Warburton
Communications/PR, GE Canada
905-858-5678
cell 416-561-8316
kim.warburton@ge.com
About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, performance improvement, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies is helping clinicians around the world re-imagine new ways to predict, diagnose, inform, treat and monitor disease, so patients can live their lives to the fullest.
GE Healthcare's broad range of products and services enable healthcare providers to better diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, neurological diseases and other conditions earlier. Our vision for the future is to enable a new "early health" model of care focused on earlier diagnosis, pre-symptomatic disease detection and disease prevention. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 46,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.
