MARKHAM, ON (April 16, 2019) – On Friday, April 12, guests sailed away to a Greek island paradise where they danced, jived and had the time of their lives. Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) Foundation held Mamma Mia! The
Gala at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre in support of the expansion of MSH’s orthopaedic surgical program.
Canadian television and media personality Kevin Frankish kicked off York Region’s most widely anticipated event. Over 650 guests enjoyed an amazing Mediterranean-style dinner, silent auction and inspiring speeches while singing along to their favourite ABBA hits performed by Canada’s very own ABBA Revisited. The gala was generously sponsored by Shakir Rehmatullah of Flato Developments Inc. Dave Farrow of East Gwillimbury drove away the winner of the raffle grand prize: a 2019 Hyundai Kona, generously donated by Automobile Sponsor, Weins Canada and Don Valley North Hyundai.
The highlight of the evening was the culmination of community support that helped purchase four precision power saws and other life-saving medical equipment for the operating room at MSH. Grateful patient Colson Bates, a 16-year-old BMX rider, who one day hopes to compete at the Olympics, took the stage with Dr. Kevin Koo, orthopaedic surgeon at MSH. Last year Bates broke his shin while in practice and had to have surgery at MSH to repair the fracture and allow him to continue to ride at a competitive level.
“I’m happy we were able to take on Colson’s case because of the resources we have here at MSH,” says Dr. Koo. “Having donor funding and support from the community is important to ensuring we are able to continue to deliver
high quality care and our patients have the best possible outcomes.”
“My life has changed because of this accident – but the way that the Markham Stouffville Hospital team and Dr. Koo have given me the confidence to keep going and keep pursuing my dream in the sport – that’s what means the most
to me,” says Bates.
Expanding the orthopaedic surgical program will enable future growth opportunities for other procedures such as spinal surgeries and sports medicine interventions. More immediately it will increase MSH’s surgical capacity in general, reduce wait times and enhance patient safety and efficiency. For both the surgeon and the patient, less pain, a quicker recovery, and shorter wait times are the mutual goals.
Support from the community for leading-edge techniques and technology use in the operating room will help ensure the healthcare needs of our growing and aging community continue to be met close to home, at MSH, for years to come.
This 27th MSH gala would not have been possible without the generosity of the community and the volunteer committee, led this year by the tireless efforts of co-chairs Kathy Crupi and Lina Ronco.
Re-live moments of the MSH Gala by visiting www.gala.mshf.on.ca.