PRINCE GEORGE The renamed paediatric wing at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia was officially opened today. The Northland Dodge Paediatric Wing recognizes the significant contribution of $1 million to improving health care by Northland Dodge management and staff.

Attendees included Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell, dealer principal Brent Marshall, hospital staff and patients as well as representatives from Northern Health.

This generous donation made by Brent Marshall and Northland Dodge will have a great impact on the quality of care children receive here at UHNBC, said Falcon. This money will go a long way to making children and their families more comfortable in an environment that is unfamiliar and sometimes intimidating.

Over a number of years UHNBCs paediatric wing has received generous donations aimed at improving care for the children of the North. One million dollars in donations from Northland Dodge has helped purchase specialized equipment to improve the health care for children at the Maternal Child Centre of Excellence. The equipment purchased has been crucial in enhancing the level of care and services offered.

I am so proud of the wonderful staff at Northland Dodge and the work we have completed to donate these funds in support of Northern Health and our community, said Marshall. It is an incredible honour to have the paediatric wing named in recognition of these efforts and I cant thank you enough.

The fundraising efforts and generosity shown by the people of the North has been outstanding, said Bond. It is wonderful to see people like Brent step up and bring the next level of health care and support to their community.

The renamed paediatric wing follows the completion of an outdoor paediatric deck and library that were both opened this year in support of providing a healthy, more enjoyable space for families.

The new name for the paediatric wing really sums up all the great work that has been done lately to improve the quality of care for our youngest patients, said Bell. The new name is fitting, given the recent additions of the family library and outside deck. The new signage and name really ties the recent upgrades together nicely.

Equipment made possible by Northlands donation includes, but is not limited to delivery room beds and infant warmers in maternity, parent beds and furniture for paediatric rooms and a wireless communication system for use in maternity, neonatal ICU and paediatrics.

Northern Health is fortunate to have donors like Brent Marshall who demonstrate their attention to the health-care needs of people in the North, said Dr. Charles Jago, Northern Health board chair. Without these donations, we would not be able to purchase some of the equipment necessary to enhance the care of children and infants at the University Hospital of Northern BC.

The renaming includes new signage for the entrance of the paediatric wing to create a welcoming feel for families and a plaque thanking Northland Dodge.