Building Passionate Community Support for the Royal Alexandra Hospital

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Patient Story

Did You Know?

The Royal Alexandra Hospital services a geographic area that amounts to one third of Canada's total land mass.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital cares for 450,000 patients annually.

More than 28,000 surgeries are performed annually at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Cardiac Services program is nationally recognized for its innovative work in the non-invasive treatment of heart disease.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Aboriginal Diabetes Wellness Program was established in 1994 and integrates western medical knowledge with Aboriginal spirituality, medicines and traditional teachings.

In the 1980s, the Royal Alexandra Hospital became the first centre in North America to perform diagnostic cardiac angiograms as a day-patient procedure. This has since been established as standard practice around the world.

The Foundation’s eldest volunteer to date is a spry 83-year old; our youngest, a little girl who is eight.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital has provided patients, visitors, staff and volunteers with a smoke free site since 2005.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital has a Visual Arts Committee which offers artists an opportunity to exhibit their works throughout the hospital campus.

The hospital’s Gift Shop is staffed by volunteers from the Royal Alexandra Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, which was founded in 1899.

If language is an obstacle to clear communication, the Royal Alexandra Hospital provides interpreters for patients and their families at no cost.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital is the largest provider of cardiology services in Edmonton. Two-thirds of minimally invasive cardiac care services for Central and Northern Alberta, such as the radial approach to complex angioplasty and stenting, are performed at the Royal Alex.

Canada's first ever, stand-alone orthopedic centre is now under construction on the Royal Alexandra Hospital campus. The $60-million Orthopedic Surgery Centre is expected to be complete in 2010 and will accommodate 4,500 joint surgeries a year.

The C.K. Hui Heart Centre, opening in 2009 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, will provide more efficient and streamlined care to the 50,000 heart patients we see each year.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital was the first location in Western Canada to begin using the da Vinci S robotic surgery system for laparoscopic radical prostatectomies - a procedure that removes the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue - to treat prostate cancer.

Patient Stories: Ron Hodgson

Friday, 21. November 2008 Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 December 2008 16:01 Written by Michael Chevalier

"I didn't know anything about prostate cancer because I didn't think I would ever have to."

Dr. Eric Estey and Ron Hodgson.

Ron Hodgson remembers only too well the telephone call telling him he had prostate cancer.

"I don't think anything can prepare you to hear those words," recalls the well-known Edmonton businessman. "I didn't know anything about prostate cancer because I didn't think I would ever have to. My mother is a healthy 101 and my dad passed away at the age of 92. I really thought longevity was in my genes."

But a single phone call quickly changed that. "You think about your family, you draw up a will, you ask yourself big picture questions about your life, its purpose and meaning," says Ron. Originally diagnosed in November 2006, Hodgson's journey in dealing with the disease meant learning about the latest treatment options available — including robotic surgery.

"Not only did I learn that the Royal Alexandra Hospital is home to the latest in robotic surgery technology, our surgeons using this equipment are considered among the very best in Canada, and are training others to use the equipment," says Ron.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital was the first location in Western Canada to begin using the da Vinci S Robotic surgery system for laparoscopic radical prostatectomies — a procedure that removes the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue — to treat prostate cancer. Since its celebrated arrival in fall 2007, more than 200 men have benefited from this less invasive surgical option. Shorter hospital stays and faster healing being among the most significant.

After it was determined by urologist and surgeon Dr. Eric Estey that Ron would be a good candidate for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (Ron's surgery was in January 2007, prior to the arrival of the daVinci robot), his procedure took place at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and was deemed a success. Today he is looking towards the future: a future that has plenty of opportunities to spend time with family, friends, and of course, travel.

Ron admits the experience has changed him. While he always did have a reputation for being proactive, his need to raise awareness of prostate cancer is now a bonafide mission.

"Prior to my own diagnosis I had no idea how widespread prostate cancer is. As a patient of Dr. Estey's, I kept seeing people in the waiting room that I knew — every single time. That's when it hit home that this disease is affecting a lot of people," he says.

In fact, prostate cancer affects one in seven men and their families. Ron says it is important that men know they can talk about this disease.

"Not only that, it is important to share with others that the expertise to help get you through this is available right here, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. To say that I feel fortunate would be a great understatement."

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