Edmonton, AB – September 5, 2019 – The University Hospital Foundation (UHF) is proud to announce an historic donation of $10 million to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

Made up of thousands of individual donations, the gift continues the incredible legacy of community support that has helped make the Maz a world leader in cardiac care and surgery.
“We cannot thank our generous donors enough for making this significant and life-changing gift possible, and ensuring that cardiac patients across Western Canada will continue to receive a level of care at the Maz that they cannot get anywhere else,” said Joyce Mallman Law, President of the University Hospital Foundation.

“This amazing donation is another example of how the University Hospital Foundation connects community generosity to support world-class health care that saves and improves lives in northern Alberta and beyond,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health.

“The foundation is part of why the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute has become a leader in its field over the past 10 years. On behalf of the Alberta Government, thanks to all the donors who have made this historic donation possible.”

In addition to a $3 million Innovation Fund, much of the donation will be used to purchase new, technologically advanced, equipment and technology, further groundbreaking research, and enhance future patient care initiatives that focus on improving cardiac care in the community.

The original equipment has seen steady use over the last 10 years. Each year, there are nearly 7,000 admissions to cardiology and cardiac surgery inpatient units and ICUs, and more than 26,000 multidisciplinary visits to outpatient cardiac clinics, including pacemaker and ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) clinics. This past year, 2,088 cardiac surgeries were performed. Technology is constantly evolving, and just like your smartphone, the equipment at the Maz eventually needs to be upgraded.

“Thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute has established itself as a world leader in cardiac care, advancing the prevention, treatment, and study of cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, CEO and President, Alberta Health Services. “The University Hospital Foundation and its donors have committed more than $80 million over the last ten years, ensuring the best possible cardiac care is available to our patients and families, when they need it.”

The University of Alberta Hospital has been at the forefront of cardiac care for more than 60 years, providing a sound history of leadership and innovation for the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute to build on.

Thanks to extraordinary donor support – 1 in 4 dollars that it took to build and equip the Maz came from the community – the Maz has been providing world-class cardiac care to patients from Edmonton, northern and north-central Alberta, northern British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

One in four Albertans will experience heart disease in their lifetime. The University Hospital Foundation’s goal is to reduce the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovation, research, education, and enhanced patient care.

To learn more about how to support the Mazankowski visit MyMaz.ca.

University Hospital Foundation

The University Hospital Foundation raises and manages funds to advance patient care, research and healthcare education at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic. For more information visit GivetoUHF.ca.