November 2, 2001 - St. Joseph's Health Care, London today marked the official opening of the Rheumatology Centre, the Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Centre and the Rheumatology Day Programs.

Rheumatology services were consolidated citywide at St. Joseph's last September as part of ongoing hospital restructuring. Six academic rheumatologists in London are now part of the Centre at St. Joseph's that includes a full range of patient services. The centre provides integrated patient care on a single site, with a full range of medical, diagnostic and therapeutic services, including a therapy pool.

Dr. Nicole le Riche, Division Head, Rheumatology acknowledged this celebration as an important milestone for St. Joseph's Hospital as it transforms into an ambulatory care centre.

"St. Joseph's Health Care is to be congratulated on its farsightedness in supporting ambulatory care," she said, "Because of marked improvements in drugs to treat arthritis and related conditions, as well as better understanding of the diseases we treat, almost all our patients can be effectively treated as out-patients. Consolidation of these programs helps patient care, the teaching of students from many career paths as well as stimulating and supporting research."

London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco was among the special guests who, as part of the celebration had an opportunity to tour the new facility. The City of London has made a sizeable commitment to London hospitals with a pledge of $15 million for restructuring and renewal efforts.

In recognition of a $1 million pledge from the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary to The care givers' campaign for the new St. Joe's, the newly opened therapy pool at St. Joseph's Hospital will be named The St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary Therapy Pool.

Dr. le Riche announced the naming of the pool. "This year - 2001 - is the Year of the Volunteer and I am pleased to be able to pay tribute to this remarkable group of volunteers through this naming. They have supported the hospital through countless hours of volunteer labour and raised millions of dollars in support of the hospital," stated Dr. le Riche.

This $1 million gift, announced in March 2000, will support rheumatology, diabetes and chronic lung disease. It represents the largest one time gift in the history of the Auxiliary.

"We believe patients will benefit from this coming changes, and we are proud to support the hospital in reshaping health care in our community," said Margaret Herbert, President of the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.