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News Releases - 2005
December 12, 2005
James R. Grand Rehabilitation Therapy Centre Opening
and Dedication
Toronto -
West Park Healthcare Centre today gave patients the opportunity
to make their recoveries more pleasant with the formal unveiling
of the James R. Grand Rehabilitation Therapy Centre. Renovations
to the therapy centre were made possible by a gift from the James
R. Grand Memorial Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation that
is being celebrated at 12:30 p.m. today at 82 Buttonwood Avenue,
Toronto, M6M 2J5.
Upgrades to the area include new furnishings, brighter lighting,
a reception desk accessible to those using wheelchairs, new flooring
that provides greater ease of movement for patients in wheelchairs,
new equipment and storage areas for the rehabilitation gyms and
a renovated more accessible hydrotherapy pool with a tropical mural
painted on three walls, new showers and change rooms and sound system.
“Rehabilitation plays a critical role in controlling costs
within our healthcare system," said Anne-Marie Malek, President
and CEO of the West Park Healthcare Centre. “It is part of
the continuum of care that begins in acute care hospitals. That’s
why we are so pleased to acknowledge this generous support that
enabled us to ensure efficient and effective delivery of care by
staff and enhance the care-delivery environment for patients.”
The James R. Grand Rehabilitation Therapy Centre was named in remembrance
of James R. Grand, a man of great spirit. Struck with polio as an
adult, Grand was told he might die and would probably never walk
again. This prognosis only made him more determined and helped inspire
his full recovery to an active life, which lasted until his 72nd
year.
Despite his reduced mobility, Grand refused to slow down. Mr. Grand
loved travel and his cottage in Muskoka. He was also active in the
community in spite of his physical challenges, serving as a founding
member of North York General Hospital and Lawrence Park Community
Church, and a member of Kiwanis.
“Mr. Grand’s determination and success in life serve
as a wonderful example for everyone who comes to the James R. Grand
Rehabilitation Centre,” says Heather Hurst, President & CEO
of West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation. “He is a prime
example of how, with courage, dignity and determination and the
support provided by West Park, patients can overcome health challenges
and live their lives to the fullest. The foundation is grateful
to have received this gift from James R. Grand Memorial Fund at
the Toronto Community Foundation, which will make such a difference
to the lives of many other patients.”
“The Toronto Community Foundation is delighted to assist the
Grand family in celebrating the memory of their father through his
'gift that keeps on giving' to so many Torontonians with health
challenges,” added TCF President and CEO Anne Swarbrick. “TCF
manages endowments and researches high-impact grant opportunities
for individuals and families to help make Toronto the best place
to live, work, learn and grow for all its citizens.”
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The Toronto Community Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated
to making Toronto the best place to live, work, learn and grow.
TCF helps philanthropic citizens establish endowment funds for charitable
giving. TCF measures areas of greatest need in the community through
its annual report card on quality of life, Toronto’s Vital
Signs®, and identifies initiatives of highest impact to help
ensure that grants have the greatest effect on improving quality
of life. Last year, TCF granted a total of $4.5 million to charities
working to improve quality of life in Toronto.
West Park Healthcare Centre provides specialized rehabilitation,
complex continuing care and long term care services to people who
live within the Greater Toronto Area. The centre’s mission is to
help people overcome their health barriers to live the fullest lives
possible after the onset of an illness or injury. The centre offers
a broad range of government-funded services to help people with
chronic diseases and those recovering from a life altering illness
or accident, such as multiple sclerosis, strokes, amputation, or
joint injury. The centre is known internationally for its expertise
and research in respiratory medicine, particularly for its care
for people with tuberculosis, and its rehabilitation services for
those with emphysema and chronic bronchitis (known as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease or COPD).
For further information, please contact:
Sandra Fawcett, Director, Public Relations
Phone: 416-243-3730 Pager: 416-381-7276
E Mail:sandra.fawcett@westpark.org
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