Business After 5 with the FSJ Hospital Foundation

An immersive tour of the Fort St. John hospital was held recently in the North Peace, which provided guests with a deeper understanding of the tasks and care our healthcare professionals deal with daily.

Supplied photos

The FSJ Hospital Foundation hosted their Business after 5 event on April 16, at the Fort St. John Hospital in collaboration with dedicated medical professionals and the District Chamber of Commerce.

Following brief instructions, each group was led on an immersive tour which traveled between various departments within the hospital starting at the laboratory.

Here, guests had the opportunity to learn about the functions of lab equipment while Tara Curry, Lab manager, explained the whole process of sample processing, which offered a comprehensive overview of the laboratory’s operations.

The tour then moved on to the Microbiology Lab, where the capabilities of the MALDI Biotyper were showcased by Mathew Colburn. The lab’s diagnostic capabilities are enhanced by this advanced piece of equipment according to the release, which contributes significantly to patient care.

Guests were granted a look behind the scenes at the Community Cancer Center, while Manager Elsa Hak highlighted the importance of local treatment while stating that sending patients home to their families after treatments is the best part of her job.

Another stop on the tour was the Medical Imaging Department, where guests learned that more than 46,000 scans are conducted yearly.

“The turnout was amazing — it was great to see so many community members, business leaders, and healthcare professionals come together for a behind-the-scenes look at our local hospital,” posted Vince van Wieringen on his Facebook page.

“Walking through the various departments and seeing the advanced equipment and technology our hospital now has access to was truly eye-opening. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact the FSJ Hospital Foundation has had — and continues to have — thanks to the unwavering support of donors, sponsors, and the broader community.”

Community support was showcased in the demonstration of the new MRI coils and the Bone Densitometer, which have been purchased using donor dollars. Acquiring vital equipment that enhances patient experience remains the primary focus of the FSJ Hospital Foundation.

It’s been many years since there was a tour of the hospital, and according to the release the feedback was outstanding.