Learn More About Recent Spending & Commitments
(L-R) Dr. Wasserman, Dr. DeBoer & Dr. Hossain showing off the Molli
O.R. Molli surgical Lesion
Location Technology
The Foundation was excited to fund the Molli Surgical Lesion Location Technology for the O.R.
This enhanced technology allows our Radiologists to accurately mark breast lumps with a localization marker in Diagnostic Imaging. This marker is one of the smallest markers available at only 3.2mm! It will not break, deactivate or lose it’s signal. It is minimally invasive because it is so small making insertion easier and more comfortable.
In the Operating Room, this tiny marker can be traced by our Surgeons using the Molli wand and tablet. The technology allows for easy location of the lump in surgery allowing for better and more accurate removal!
O.R. Breast Liposuction Unit for Reconstructive Surgeries after Mastectomy
A brief explanation from one of our plastic surgeons Dr. Nel:
As part of post cancer breast reconstruction, there are usually two routes to follow - using your own tissue only, or using expanders followed by implants.
For some women, especially if they have had radiotherapy, the risks for some of these options are very high. One way that we can offer reconstruction to more women, and improve the safety and outcome of their reconstruction, is if we can combine the two methods - use some of their own tissue (fat) as well as the expanders/implants. This tissue can only be harvested using the liposuction machine. This then allows us either to offer reconstruction where it was impossible, or to salvage a reconstruction where it may not have been otherwise possible. This is called hybrid reconstruction and has become standard of care in first world treatment of breast reconstruction.
This technology has a positive impact
for women following breast cancer surgery.
SMRH is the only site in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax
that will be providing this surgery for women after having a mastectomy.
(L-R): Kayla Creighton, Cathy MacGillivray, Meagan Munroe, Chelsea Goodland
The Social Work Patient Care Fund is an exciting new opportunity to help patients and their families in ways that we may not otherwise be able to do. This fund allows for support in ways that are directed specifically to each patient on a case-by-case basis allowing for a personalized approach to care and support.
Social Work Patient Care Fund
Social Worker Cathy MacGillivray has the following message:
We are so grateful for the generosity of the Foundation in helping us create this Fund. This Fund will enable us to help patients and families access resources when they are dealing with a crisis situation and financial strain is a barrier both in coping while their loved ones are in hospital facing life-threatening and life changing illnesses or injuries, but also when they are working with our health care teams to help get their loved ones home again.
This fund allows us to find creative ways to ease the burdens experienced by our patients and families and fill in gaps that can't be met in a timely manner by other resources so patients can have their needs met and return home to their lives and families. We know that great things can come from every effort big and small and this is one way to work towards a more supportive healthcare experience.
Palliative Care Manager Andrea MacDonald
Palliative Care Education
Antigonish was selected to host the 30th Annual Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA) Provincial Conference in May of 2023. With SMRH Foundation funding, our Palliative Care Team was able to support 30 individuals from Continuing Care, VON, local nursing homes, and members of Palliative Care Societies to attend. The 2-day event ran effortlessly and was very well attended!
Some featured guests included a speaker who discussed grief and grief literacy in Nova Scotia especially after the mass casualty in April 2021, and a talk on the cultural aspects of death and dying with representation from Indigenous, African Canadian, Irish, and Arabic communities.
Additionally we have been able to sponsor four (4) Palliative Care Nurses, to date in receiving their Canadian Nurses Association Certification in Palliative Care (CNA). This certification provides specialized education on palliative care, increases the nurses’ qualifications and expertise which they can use to support their patients and their families, in hospital as well as in our community.