As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, there have been many achievements, successes and milestones that have shaped our organization and Regina’s hospitals over the past three decades. One such example is the opening of the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care at the Regina General Hospital.

The people of southern Saskatchewan will long remember Nov. 2, 2010 as the day the Centre officially opened to the public. Joining in the celebration were dignitaries, children born at RGH, staff, donors and the public. The Centre was designed to be one of the most advanced and family-friendly facilities in Canada. Its impact would be felt across our community and change how mother-baby care would be delivered in our province. With new equipment and significant renovations, the Centre would include major enhancements for the Labour and Birth Unit, the Mother Baby Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The fundraising journey began in 2004 with a major gift from Gordon and Doug Rawlinson, owners of Rawlco Radio, and launched with the Small is Big campaign for Hospitals of Regina Foundation. With the support of many other generous donors, the campaign raised $6 million in two years for furnishings and equipment. It was an example of what our community could achieve when we all we shared a common vision.

Our hospitals always had good people providing good care. The opening of the Rawlco Centre meant we now had an environment that was as good as the care. Doctors and nurses were given the tools they needed to provide innovative, family-centered care for mothers, newborns and families.

The newly renovated Mother Baby Unit offered 36 private rooms with full bathrooms, baby baths and baby change areas. The Labour Unit included eight patient rooms where women could deliver babies in birthing beds, with leading-edge equipment close at hand. The space also featured two operating rooms for more complicated births requiring general anesthesia and caesarian section. Donations also helped equip 21 infant care stations in the procedures room to treat at-risk newborns.

Our community believed in the need for a better experience for mother’s giving birth and their families. Driven by our donors, that vision became a reality with the opening of the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care. We look forward to the bold future that lies ahead, with a goal to invest in the best health care for everyone in our community. Because of you, our most dedicated donors, the Foundation will continue to support the critical work of our doctors and nurses, and to deliver on our promise of excellent health care in Regina and southern Saskatchewan.

Learn more about the history of the Foundation by checking out our 30th anniversary timeline that can be found on our 30th Anniversary special feature.