A message from Dr. Jodi Abbott, President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation

photos AMANDA GALLANT

There is nothing I love more than an inspiring, “There-must-be-a-better-way” story. From the evolution of horses to cars, paper to digital and the pinnacle of progress (if you’re a certain age), whole loaves to sliced bread, we have a long and celebrated history of looking at something with the right mix of imagination, boldness and knowledge — and transforming it into something better — much better. Which brings us to health care.

The winds of change in Canada’s health-care system have been howling for years. In Alberta, we’re seeing the establishment of four interdependent entities — primary care, acute care, mental health and addictions, and continuing care. It is going to take time for these changes to take shape, and we are hopeful for a stronger, resilient system.

As that is happening, the University Hospital Foundation will look to identify and engage with advancements in care that could have profound impact on our personal health and the entire health system.

What do I mean? Take a look. The personal cost of Alzheimer’s disease on the almost 50,000 Albertans who have it, as well as their family and friends, is devastating and unstoppable; its financial toll on the health-care system is equally debilitating. Eliminating Alzheimer’s from our world, or significantly reducing its impact, would be health system transformation at its finest.

How do we do that? As always, our donors will lead the way. They have already given significantly to the research of the esteemed team from the University of Alberta — Dr. Jack Jhamandas, Dr. Lorne Tyrrell and 2020 Nobel Prize laureate, Sir Michael Houghton — whose approach to finding a “better way” to putting an end to Alzheimer’s is captivating and, to date, extremely encouraging. More support is needed, and if we can help it, they will get it.

There are more examples of better-way thinking in this issue of HERE Magazine, including the work of Dr. Jacob Jaremko, a radiologist at the University of Alberta Hospital, who is incorporating the blazing speed and computational superpowers of artificial intelligence with diagnostic imaging to ensure that all patients, regardless of where they live, receive the same benefits of advanced diagnostic imaging as inpatients at the University of Alberta Hospital.

And then there is transplantation — from creating organ banks to implanting mechanical hearts with long-lasting batteries, the future of organ transplantation is on the brink of stunning breakthroughs.

As catalysts of change, the University Hospital Foundation is in a position to make these innovations possible. As thrilling as that sounds, it is also critically important. Unlike sliced bread, these are not “nice-to-have” improvements. They are essential.