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$25M powers tower of hope
Richmond doctor and nurse lead $25 million contribution Record donation illuminates need for new acute care tower New tower could cost $200M to $400M
Throughout
their careers in medicine, Tony and Nancy Yurkovich dedicated their lives to
serving others. Even now, in retirement, that hasn’t changed.
The
long-time Richmond doctor and nurse recently made the single largest gift in
the history of the Richmond Hospital Foundation in support of a new acute care
tower. Notably modest and humble, the couple preferred details of the size of
their gift not be shared but are thrilled that more than 10 families and
organizations have made commitments totalling $25 million toward the proposed
new building.
In
recognition of the Yurkovich’s generosity, the original tower (the longtime
Richmond couple was present for its official opening in 1966) will be named the
Yurkovich Family Pavilion. In the future, when a new tower is approved by the
provincial government, the naming will transfer to it.
“I
love this community. I feel great joy in giving,” Dr. Yurkovich said in a press
release.
Added
Nancy: “Back then we wanted the very best health care for the people of
Richmond. We still want the same thing today, and that’s what a new acute care
tower will mean for us.”
Dr.
Yurkovich was dedicated to caring for Richmond residents for more than four
decades. The first generation Canadian, whose determined mother spoke only
Croatian for much of her life, he worked in the shingle mills and canneries to
pay for his medical education at the University of British Columbia.
Nancy,
born in Toronto, met her future husband working in the same hospital. The
couple settled in Richmond where they raised a family.
“Tony
and Nancy have always been great advocates of having the best health care
possible in this community,” said Natalie Meixner, president and chief
executive officer of the Richmond Hospital Foundation. “They have a deep
understanding of what the needs are, having been a part of health care in this
city but also in the country for many years. In fact it was 60 years ago this
month Tony opened his family practice in Richmond.”
Retired
for 20 years, the couple continues to champion for the best health care possible
in all aspects—mental health to palliative care to home care, “making sure the
right kinds of services are there for people,” Meixner said.
“When
they decided to make this gift it was about wanting to help bring this need
(for a new acute care tower) to fruition,” she said. “(They thought) if people
saw they chose to support this perhaps others would be inspired by their act
and do the same.”
Meixner
said the need for a new tower is urgent, and she hopes that with each donation
the community awareness and support increases.
“Our
MLAs have been championing this need but clearly it takes a lot of loud voices,
it takes a whole community to let government know this is the single, most
important infrastructure to people in Richmond,” she said.
When
the original—and current—tower was constructed in 1966, Richmond’s population
was 50,000. Today the population is 218,000 and projected to grow to 250,000 by
2030. While the delivery of health care services has changed, there still
remains only “a couple hundred beds,” Meixner said.
The
limited space means up to four people typically share a patient room, each
equipped with only one washroom. Today, to prevent infection, facilitate faster
recovery and offer the best standard of care, the common practice in health
care is one patient per room, Meixner said.
“The
building is also seismically unstable and in case of a moderate earthquake
subject to liquefaction,” she said. “Back when it was built, seismic standards were
different and there was no preloading of the site.“
Since
the provincial government approved the first phase of planning in June 2016,
the initial concept plan was completed. Now in the hands of the Health Ministry
for review and possible recommendations, Meixner said. “Our hope is it will be
approved and can then go to the business plan stage. We’re told that (business
plan stage) normally takes two years. It’s pretty in-depth work.”
Meixner
said the cost of replacing the existing tower is wide-ranging, with estimates
from $200 million to $400 million depending on the scope of the project.
Richmond
residents have the longest average lifespan at 85 years of age compared to the
national average of 81, pressing Richmond Hospital to provide acute care services
for patients and families who need it.
Over 30 years, Richmond Hospital Foundation has
raised nearly $75 million to help purchase vital medical equipment, improve
patient care services and upgrade facilities at Richmond Hospital.