Victoria Hospitals Foundation Launches $21M Campaign for Surgical Robots

The Victoria Hospitals Foundation has initiated a significant fundraising campaign of $21 million to enhance surgical capabilities in Greater Victoria. This initiative follows a historic $7.5 million donation, the largest in the foundation’s 36-year history, aimed at acquiring advanced surgical robots for local hospitals.

At the forefront of this campaign is the da Vinci surgical robot, which has been deployed at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Dr. Jeff McCracken, the chief urologist at the hospital, has been utilizing the da Vinci system since February and has reported remarkable outcomes. “As soon as you sit down and start moving the instruments around, it just feels right,” he stated, underscoring the robot’s intuitive design.

Dr. McCracken noted that the introduction of the da Vinci robot has dramatically improved patient outcomes. He pointed out that recovery times in the hospital have decreased by 60 to 70 percent, and the risk of requiring a blood transfusion has dropped by an impressive 90 percent. These advancements not only benefit patients but also enhance the overall efficiency of the hospital’s operations.

“From a hospital perspective, we’re seeing a better flow-through, less cancellations, because we’re reliably having patients come and go,” Dr. McCracken explained. He emphasized that the technology is vital for sustaining surgical careers and attracting new talent to the field.

The current fundraising campaign, titled “It’s Time for a Surgical Evolution,” aims to equip Victoria General Hospital with its own da Vinci robot. Additionally, it seeks to introduce the region’s first neuro-surgery robot and procure over 60 pieces of innovative oncology equipment.

Avery Brohman, CEO of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, highlighted the importance of this campaign. “We are stewarding the largest gift that we’ve ever received as a foundation,” she remarked. Brohman expressed a desire to match the significant donation to encourage community participation and ensure the success of the project.

The foundation is committed to transforming surgical care in the region, aiming to create a comprehensive robotics program that may become one of the most advanced in the country. Dr. McCracken, who has recently been appointed head of robotics at both Royal Jubilee and Victoria General, expressed his excitement about the future. “It melts my heart to see that everything we said was true,” he said, reflecting on the community’s potential to advance healthcare technology.

The foundation is actively encouraging donations through its website, in-person at the foundation’s office located at 1952 Bay St., or by phone at 250-519-1750. As this campaign unfolds, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation aims to engage the community in a shared mission to enhance surgical care and improve patient outcomes across the region.