A new cardiovascular surgery unit is coming closer to reality at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

“We all look forward to the day when cardiac surgery is performed here, at home, in Northwestern Ontario.” says Our Hearts at Home Campaign Vice-Chair Dan Topatigh.

Hospital officials provided an update this morning on the project as they move into the third of five stages of the project. This segment includes preliminary design work that details the needs multiple elements of the unit including mechanical, electrical, furniture and equipment.

When completed the cardiovascular surgery space will offer two operating rooms, one for open heart surgery, the other for minimally-invasive cardiac and vascular surgery, a 14 bed surgery unit and a six bed coronary care unit.

CEO Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott calls this progress. “With the support of the Ontario government, we continue to progress towards our goal of providing a full cardiovascular surgery program at our Hospital for the people we serve across Northwestern Ontario.”

The project is being done in a partnership between TBRHSC and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, which is based out of University Health Network in Toronto, and employs a “one program, two sites” model for care. Which will bring comprehensive cardiovascular care for residents of Northwestern Ontario.

The project was first announced in 2015, but kicked off last August following an announcement of $5.2 million in funding from the provincial government. The deadline for this phase of the project is set for November.

Officials are also thanking those who designated their donations directly towards the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Cardiovascular Surgery campaign.