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Finance wizard drops $3 million to help fix 'outrageous' situation at Sault Area Hospital (updated, 4 photos)

Total of $4.5 million in funding coming for SAH cardiac care thanks to pledges

After the Ministry of Health approved the expansion of cardiac care services at Sault Area Hospital (SAH) with the introduction of cardiac stenting (angioplasty) in July 2017, a Sault native has stepped forward with a pledge of $3 million for cardiac care services at the local hospital.

Dale Harrison, a Sir James Dunn Collegiate graduate who moved away to study at university before excelling in the world of high finance, has made the pledge to provide the funding over five years.

Harrison, a retired financial analyst, was one of several speakers at a celebration of cardiac services expansion held at SAH Wednesday.

“I was appalled when I heard we didn’t have that (angioplasty) in Sault Ste. Marie. My heart sunk. So I thought ‘my goodness, good medicine should start at home.’ I thought this is outrageous, that several hundred people are being sent away for (cardiac) care every year. I thought it was time to step up,” Harrison said.

“I’m a proud Sault Ste. Marie native. After university I started a career in Bay Street finance, then I moved to Vancouver and became a portfolio manager. Much of my success in my career comes down to coming from Sault Ste. Marie, the values I learned growing up here. It’s a very practical place. Industry and honesty and gratitude is number one in this city.”

“It’s time to give back,” Harrison said.

The Dr. Lou and Mae Lukenda Charitable Foundation has also stepped forward with a $1 million pledge for necessary medical equipment needed for cardiac care, including a second catheter lab for angioplasty at SAH.

In addition, a pledge of $250,000 has been made from the Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) for cardiac care.

The $4.5 million total in pledges represents SAHF’s initial goal to fund expansion of local cardiac care services.

Cheryl Pavoni, SAHF executive director, told SooToday she estimates the total cost for a second catheter lab for angioplasty to be between $6 million and $7 million.  

Jim Best, the first Sault resident to benefit from angioplasty at Sault Area Hospital, was on hand to tell his story.

“It started last fall,” said Best, who, despite not experiencing any ill effects, went through a battery of tests in the Sault and was ultimately told to return home from a U.S. vacation for cardiac care.

After an angiogram, it was found there were blockages in his heart.

Best underwent angioplasty at SAH in August.

“The care and compassion I got from the staff was unbelievable from start to finish.”

Best said he never felt anxious receiving angioplasty at home in the Sault.

“I knew my wife and family were close, I knew that at the end of that day I was getting up and going back to my own bed,” said Best, who celebrated with a takeout order that same day from Northern Grand Gardens.

“It felt great. That was my journey through the stent.”    

The importance and convenience of having angioplasty available in the Sault was underscored when Sault businessman Jim Boniferro shared his own story of first presenting to SAH, then having to be transported by air to Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital to have the procedure done after he began to feel ill with heart problems, a challenging ordeal which lasted from Feb. 21 to March 3, 2017 (before angioplasty became available at SAH).

“At the time I had three grandchildren come into the hospital to see their grandfather hooked up to a monitor,” an emotional Boniferro said, thanking SAH and St. Mike’s staff for their care.

“We’re (still) very fortunate in Sault Ste. Marie and Ontario to have the privilege of such great health care, regardless of my story...there are some incredible people that are dedicated to this program,” Boniferro said.

Dr. John Graham, a St. Michael’s Hospital interventional cardiologist, one of a group of St. Mike’s locums assisting SAH medical staff with angioplasty while SAH seeks to recruit Sault-based cardiologists to perform the procedure, said 320 Sault patients had to undergo angioplasty out of town last year.

“This means last year we had 320 Jim Boniferros, that’s 320 sets of grandkids that had to see their grandfather in a hospital, then not see him for days when he goes to another hospital. Hopefully we can move forward now,” Graham said.

Over 30 angioplasty procedures have been performed at SAH since August, SAHF announced Wednesday.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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