Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children(R)- Canada!

MONTREAL, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – This morning, Premier Jean
Charest and Shriners Hospitals for Children® leadership located in
Montreal have proceeded to the grounbreaking for the new Shriners
Hospital for Children on the Glen Campus adjacent to the Montreal
Children’s Hospital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre
(MUHC). Also present were Health Minister Yves Bolduc, M.D., the
Honourable Arthur T. Porter, directeur général et chef de la direction
du CUSM, Michael Severe, President of the Board of Directors of
Shriners International and Chairman of the Board of Shriners Hospitals
for Children, Douglas Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals
for Children and many other dignitaries. Patient representatives
Natalie Cinman and Luca Patuelli participated in the official
groundbreaking and the national anthems were sung by hospital patient
Jérémy Gabriel.

M. Raoul Frevel, Chairman of the Building & Equipment Committee of the
National Board: ”This new space more of 207 000 sq. ft. will allow the
implementation of care and rehabilitation facilities at the cutting
edge of technology that will include new services such as a movement
analysis laboratory for clinical treatments and research and a surgical
skills laboratory and education centre to continue to improve our
teaching mandate as well as the care we offer to meet the needs of
current and future patients.”

Since the announcement of the construction in 2010, the architectural
firm of André Ibghy architects was retained and, guided by a
Construction Committee composed of representatives of the head office
and the Montreal hospital, has developed building plans which integrate
high-technology and the family-centered care approach. Patients and
families who arrive at the front entrance drop-off, will be protected
from the elements by a signature glass marquise. The Shriners hospital
will be linked to the Montreal Childrens Hospital on several floors,
with a view to operational efficiencies and ease of access for patients
and families. The environement will be bright and welcoming to
children.The six floor building punctuates the west end of the MUHC
Glen Campus with an exclamation mark.

“The extraordinary goundswell of support that we have experience since
2005 to keep the Shriners Hospitals for children in Montreal, has truly
come to fruition today and we can now enjoy the fruits of our labour.
Imagine what Montreal will become in the coming years: The CHUM and the
MUHC will welcome their first patients, The CHU Sainte-Justine and the
Jewish General Hospital will expand and the new Shriners Hospitals for
Children- Canada will be completed! It is without a doubt that Montreal
will be considered a true world leader in healthcare”. expressed the
mayor of Montreal, Gerald Tremblay.

Douglas Maxwell, President and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children
emphasized: “the transfer of property has been signed, and if
everything goes according to schedule, construction will begin in the
spring of 2013 and the completion of the work and the move will take
place in the summer 2015. Construction costs are estimated at $ 127
million.”

Robert Drummond, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Governors, Shriners
Hospitals for children – Canada announced: “We expect that this new
facility with the technology and ultramodern facilities will allow us
to continue to recruit some of the best pediatric surgeons,
orthopedists, researchers and health care professionals to continue to
provide the best possible care to children in Quebec, the Canada and
around the world.” We want to make this hospital a true model of
excellence”

“A project of this scale cannot be undertaken without collaboration of
our partners, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the
Government of Quebec, the McGill Uthe niversity Health McGill and the
Montreal Children’s Hospital, SNC Lavalin and our architect, André
Ibghy for work already done and to come” concluded Michael G. Severe,
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shriners International.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children(®)- Canada

Located in Montreal, Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada is a
bilingual, short term, acute care centre providing elective pediatric
orthopaedic health care.  The role of the hospital is to promote health
and to provide treatment and rehabilitation to children with
orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems.  The hospital is committed to
excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education
and to providing a caring environment to families.  The hospital is
affiliated with McGill University and provides clinical experience and
teaching for residents and allied professionals. The hospital is
present in communities across Canada thanks to Telemedicine, Outreach
Clinics and since January 2009, a Satellite Clinic in Winnipeg.
Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada has been helping kids defy the
odds since its opening on February 18, 1925.

SOURCE SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA)

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Image with caption: “Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada! (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4525.jpg

Image with caption: ” CNW Médias Sociaux; Communiqués- enfants; Santé et bien-etre ; Établissement de soins de santé; pelletée; construction; Hopital; architecture; urbanisme (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4527.jpg

Image with caption: “Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada! (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4529.jpg

Image with caption: “Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada! (CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4531.jpg

Image with caption: “Groundbreaking for the new Shriners Hospitals for Children®- Canada!(CNW Group/SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN (CANADA))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111013_C3967_PHOTO_EN_4534.jpg