Nearly 500 residents access CT scans in the community

Patients can now undergo powerful diagnostic exam closer to home

LAC LA BICHE – Nearly 500 local and area residents have undergone computed tomography (CT) exams at the William J. Cadzow-Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre since the facility opened its new CT scan suite in March.

Previously, local and area residents needed to travel to Edmonton, St. Albert, Westlock or Cold Lake to get a CT scan.

The Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation raised $2.1 million to fully fund the development of a local CT scan suite through a donation from Carmen Nashim and family in memory of Frank Nashim, combined with a commitment from the Lac La Biche County to match community donations.

"This is great news for everyone in Lac La Biche. The new CT scanner will provide more access to an important diagnostic tool and health service in your community," says Tyler Shandro, Alberta Minister of Health. "Thank you to the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation, individual donors and to Lac La Biche County for your generosity and for helping to strengthen our publicly funded health system in communities across Alberta."

The new suite is expected to provide more than 1,000 scans per year, serving patients from Lac La Biche and surrounding communities, including Hylo, Kikino, Plamondon and the Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement.

CT scanners are critical diagnostic tools that produce cross-sectional patterned images to create three-dimensional views of the body.

"Having a CT scan suite available locally is a great benefit to patient care, as it enhances the doctor’s ability to screen for and more accurately diagnose medical conditions," says AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu. "We’re grateful to the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation and its donors for their support of this project. This is another great example of advancing healthcare in the community, by the community."

The foundation has been raising community support for a new CT scan suite since the organization was established in 2015.

Kal Polturak, Chair of the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation, says the suite is pivotal to healthcare delivery in Lac La Biche.

"We are very happy to see this suite already serving members of our community," Polturak says. "The community has really stepped up to help make this goal a reality. It wouldn't be possible without the generous donations from the Nashim Family and Lac La Biche County."

Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi says he is pleased members of the community can now access this vital service without leaving the area.

"Travelling for medical reasons can be difficult and stressful, so it’s always great to see more medical services and equipment available in our area," says Moghrabi. "I'm proud of the way our community comes together again and again to support local healthcare, and I would like to thank everybody who helped bring a CT scanner here to serve the needs of rural Albertans."

The Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization created to raise funds to bring medical equipment and enhanced healthcare to the Lac La Biche region.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.