MP Patrick Brown Visits the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
August 27, 2013
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre welcomed Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Patrick Brown (Barrie) on July 31st, 2013.
Following CSMLS’ Parliament Hill Day in Ottawa this past April, several MPs offered their support and assistance with helping to get CSMLS’ core advocacy messages across to key decision makers. As part of its national advocacy initiatives, CSMLS reached out to those MPs and invited them to participate in a personal tour of their local medical laboratory. The objective was to offer a unique opportunity to participate in a “hands-on” experience, while showcasing the valuable work medical laboratory professionals do and the critical role they play in the maintenance of health and well-being of their constituents and all Canadians.
Mr. Brown walked through the laboratory with Lindsey Crawford, VP of Regional Cancer and Clinical Programs; Dr. Price, Clinical Director; Barb Lemay, Administrative Director; Suzanne Froment, Manager, Laboratory Services and Michelle Hoad, Director of Marketing, Communications and Membership with the CSMLS. The tour provided Mr. Brown a complete overview of the lab and the services provided.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) provides high quality care for city residents as well as patients from a huge geographical region - including Simcoe County and the districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound.
l. to r.: Patrick Brown, MP and Dr. Russell Price, RVH
In January, 2012 RVH changed its name from Royal Victoria Hospital to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre to better reflect the forward-thinking nature of RVH’s people and communicates the excitement and enthusiasm found within the organization as they expand their integral regional role. At the same time, RVH also unveiled a bold new logo and statement of purpose, “Inspiring care…” which embodies the heartbeat of the health centre’s mission and promise to its patients. More recently, RVH introduced its new Strategic Plan; a plan which provides a bold vision for the health centre’s future with a clear and unwavering focus on putting the patient and their families first, always. The plan will act as a roadmap to guide RVH’s actions, energy and resources over the next five to seven years and is rooted in a philosophy called “My Care”, an overarching focus that will ensure RVH provides the safest, highest quality care centred on patients and their families.
Patrick Brown was first elected to the House of Commons in the 2006 federal election. In the 41st Parliament, Patrick is playing an active role in serving as a member of the Standing Committee on Health, as a member of the Neurological Disorders Subcommittee, the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee, the Juvenile Diabetes All Party Caucus and he is the Co-Chair of the Malaria Caucus.
Patrick has long family roots in Barrie as his grandparents moved to Barrie close to seventy years ago. His educational pursuits include four years in political science at the University of Toronto, extensive French studies at l’University de Trois Rivieres and after he graduated Law School at the University of Windsor, he was an active Barrie lawyer based on Collier Street in the downtown core of Barrie.
Patrick is a resident of the southeast end of Barrie. In his spare time, Patrick is a marathon runner, an avid hockey and tennis player. His passion in public service is enhancing access to healthcare for Barrie residents and supporting the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. Annually, Mr. Brown hosts “Hockey Night in Barrie”, which attracts a sold-out crowd to witness former and current NHL stars, along with numerous Canadian entertainers. The event has raised over $1 million for RVH’s Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre and Child and Youth Mental Health services. This is the first year that funds will go to these services, as well as the Cancer Centre.
CSMLS and the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre thank Mr. Brown for his participation and support. Medical laboratory professionals look forward to continuing to work together to build on recent momentum and help further our goal of ensuring equal access to quality health care for all Canadians.
