Cardiac care at Regina’s hospitals will reach a new level of excellence, thanks to the next chapter of the partnership between Hospitals of Regina Foundation and The Mosaic Company (Mosaic). Mosaic has pledged a $1 million match for donations from our community, in support of the Foundation’s Cardiac Care Campaign for the Mosaic Heart Centre at Regina General Hospital. This exceptional commitment means every donor dollar will have double the impact. 

 
“Twelve years ago, Mosaic invested in cardiac care for the people of Saskatchewan and created a centre of excellence called the Mosaic Heart Centre,” said Karen Swager, senior vice president, potash at The Mosaic Company. “It’s now time to renew our commitment and ensure our communities have access to the very best, cutting edge treatment and procedures right here at home. We are excited to announce a $1 million donation to help save lives in our province.”
 
The campaign will support the purchase of life-saving equipment and technology for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath lab) within the Mosaic Heart Centre. Doctors at the lab diagnose and treat numerous heart issues using leading edge imaging technology. The centre was established in 2006 through a $6.2 million investment by the Foundation, including a lead gift of $2.5 million by Mosaic. The Cath lab was established at the same time, and many of the critical systems within the lab have now reached the end of their life span. Investments in new technology for the Cath lab will include:

• The Fluoroscopy system uses x-rays to obtain real-time moving images of the heart.
• Dye injectors are used to inject dye into the blood vessels of patients, helping doctors identify where problems lie.
• Intravascular ultrasound is another imaging system used in the diagnosis and treatment of certain heart diseases. It uses state-of-the-art technology and high-frequency sound waves to create a detailed picture of blood vessels leading to the heart.
• Endocardiography machine is an ultrasound machine specifically for the heart. It helps doctors assess the blood flow between the top and bottom parts of the heart.

Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone says efforts in providing patients a high quality cardiac centre of care in Regina have been realized due to the support of many. “We work hard to be innovators in cardiac care and are proud to recognize the Mosaic Heart Centre as a provincial cardiac centre of excellence. Many patients from across southern Saskatchewan have benefitted from life-changing procedures available here in Regina. To be able to sustain this level of care through the Hospital of Regina Foundation’s investment in cardiac care, and Mosaic’s generosity, is a huge success for this community.”

In 2018, one out every five visits to Regina’s emergency rooms was cardiac-related. Each year, over 2,200 procedures are performed at the Cath lab, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a procedure that allows for a new valve to be implanted using a catheter. The Mosaic Heart Centre is the only facility in Saskatchewan where the procedure is currently done.
 
“This is a landmark time in the history of cardiac care in southern Saskatchewan,” said Dino Sophocleous, president and CEO, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “With Mosaic’s leadership and support from our community, we will continue to support cardiac care services in our hospitals for many years to come, and help people in southern Saskatchewan live better lives.”
 
For an example of how the Cath lab and Mosaic Heart Centre are helping people  live better lives, read Ray Mastalier’s story right here.
 
You can help make lives better by donating to the Cardiac Care Campaign. Visit www.hrf.sk.ca/Ways-to-Give or call the Foundation at (306) 781-7500 for more information.