Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

MEDIA RELEASE

Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation announces the “Dale Sheard Centre for Solutions in Women’s Health”

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE

See below for a version of the video shared the night of, along with Dale's words of gratitude:

September 20^th, 2022

EDMONTON, AB—The Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, in collaboration with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the University of Alberta, are pleased to share the news of a new honourific naming in recognition of one of the hospital’s most impactful supporters: foundation Patron, Dale Sheard. Announced at this Saturday’s annual Harvest Celebration fundraising gala in support of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, the Lois Hole Hospital Women’s Research Centre will henceforth be known as the “Dale Sheard Centre for Solutions in Women’s Health” in acknowledgment and appreciation of Dale Sheard’s profound contributions.  

“Despite her history of leadership and financial contributions to improve women’s health in our city and province, Dale herself has not yet been recognized inside the hospital space in any location. This was intentional, as Dale was adamant that the focus be on others—not herself,” said Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation.

“The time has come, however, to now recognize Dale for her years of advocacy and philanthropy in women’s health and the transformational change our city has seen in women’s health as a result,” Rutherford continued.

As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, leader and advocate, Dale Sheard has a storied history with not only the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation but advancing women's health excellence across the city and beyond.

Dale is credited as being instrumental in the establishment of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women in 2010. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors during the hospital’s construction and led fundraising as the Chair of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women capital campaign, which raised more than $20 million during 2005-2010. Praising her fortitude and dedication, current Chair of the foundation board, George Coon said, “Dale worked tirelessly on behalf of this endeavour and on behalf of our board, I am so pleased that we are now honouring her in this way.”

As one might expect, Dale’s list of achievements stems much further than the creation of the hospital.

As a deeply engaged member of the foundation’s Board of Directors for over a decade, “Dale Sheard's passion for and commitment to improving an underserved and underfunded area—mature women’s health—helped shape the relationship between the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and University of Alberta. Her genuine interest and informed ideas for the development and strategy for the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute challenged—in the most positive and practical way—how we approached our work,” said Dr. Sandra Davidge, Executive Director of the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI).

In fact, Dale’s generous philanthropic gift was focused to create change for mature women through establishing the Cavarzan Chair in Mature Women’s Health Research, currently held by Dr. Colleen Norris. The Chair undertakes research to enhance diagnosis, treatment and patient care for mature patients at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women and in care centres across Alberta and Canada. Dale believes that research should focus on women of all ages and stages, not only for life-saving care, but also for quality of life.

As Janie Clink, Senior Operating Officer for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Sturgeon Community Hospital, added, “It is highly appropriate that Dale Sheard be recognized in this manner for her outstanding contribution to the health of women today, and to the research that will continue to enhance care for women tomorrow.”

Please join us in celebrating Dale Sheard and her extraordinary drive and success toward promoting women's health excellence across the past two decades. Her influence and insights have led to remarkable achievements, and her commitment continues to shape the trajectory of care for women and the research that supports it.

 

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For media inquiries or more information, please contact:

Lindsay Robertson
Director of Communications, Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation
Email: LRobertson@royalalex.org | Phone: 780-217-2613

About the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

Established in 1984, the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation is committed to supporting improved healthcare outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of people who seek treatment at the Royal Alexandra Hospital every year. The Foundation funds advanced education, cutting-edge research, next-generation technologies and facility improvements that advance care and enhance the patient experience. The Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation also supports medical centres of excellence at the Royal Alexandra Hospital campus, including the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, the CK Hui Heart Centre, the Orthopedic Surgery Centre and the Eye Institute of Alberta.

Stay up to date with Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation news at royalalex.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @RAHFoundation and @LoisHoleHosp