St Mary’s Hospital Centre granted its university-affiliated hospital (CHAU) status by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux

Montreal, July 9, 2008 – Raymond Bachand, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and minister responsible for the Montreal area visited St Mary’s Hospital Center today to officially announce, on behalf of the ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux, that the Center has been designated a university-affiliated hospital (CHAU).

Mr. Bachand met with the media accompanied by David Levine, Chief Executive Officer of the Agence de santé et de services sociaux de Montréal, Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, Dr. Richard Levin, Dean of the McGill Faculty of Medicine, Richard J. Renaud, Chair and Dr. Arvind K. Joshi, Director General and CEO of St Mary’s.

Even though St Mary’s Hospital Center has worked closely with McGill University for many years, this new designation will raise its profile as a teaching hospital, particularly at the graduate and clinical research level. “It goes without saying that our clientele, which is our primary focus, will benefit from these concerted efforts,” says Dr. Joshi.

CHAUs play a leading role in the area of teaching and research, and are also committed to providing high quality health care. “This designation encompasses both obligations and responsibilities, which we intend to assume fully and with pride. I would also like to thank the Health and Social Services Department team for the confidence it has placed in us at this time,” stressed Dr. Joshi.

St Mary’s Hospital Center provides patient and family-focused care to a multicultural population. An integral part of the Réseau universitaire intégré de santé (RUIS) McGill since its inception, the institution has collaborated with that university and other health and social services partners for many years.