Who is PeTIr? PeTIr is the newest member of the medical staff at the Regina General Hospital. “He” has a video screen for a head, a microphone and speaker for a mouth and a highdefinition camera for eyes.

This incredible robot – also known as “remote presence technology” – was brought to life thanks to a $220,000 donation from loyal HRF donor PTI (Partner Technologies Incorporated). PTI is a locally owned company that employs 125 people in Regina, and has served Saskatchewan’s electrical transformer needs for 25 years.

George Partyka, CEO, PTI, says, “Being able to help the Foundation enhance healthcare in our province is one way PTI can give back. PeTIr provides medical staff with a great mechanism to impact patients’ lives. PTI is proud and thankful to be in a position to be part of improving lives in Saskatchewan."

“Foundation donors have such a positive influence on our hospitals,” remarks Dino Sophocleous, CEO, HRF. “They really do change lives for the better. We are very grateful to George and to PTI for being leaders and demonstrating their passion for this community and the people who live here.”

PeTIr breaks down the barriers of time and distance between patients and doctors, offering doctors the opportunity to provide personalized care, either at a patient’s bedside or from another hospital thousands of kilometers away. It also offers the ability to consult with medical teams about a patient or in the operating room.

A doctor remotely drives PeTIr to the patient’s bedside or appointment, talks with the patient in real time, gets reports on vital signs like heart rate, connects with devices such as ultrasounds and stethoscopes, and makes decisions about the patient’s care even if the patient is in a different room, hospital, city or country.

Dr. Ivar Mendez, Unified Head, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, has spent the past decade pioneering the use of remote-presence robots for neurosurgery and primary care. He states, “Remote presence technology is important in the practice of medicine, now and in the future, as it allows medical expertise to be available in real time regardless of the location of the patient. This is particularly important in Saskatchewan as we have many communities that do not have access to specialized healthcare. I am proud that our province is at the national and international forefront of implementing this technology.”

“The Hospitals of Regina Foundation is an important partner for the Health Region,” says Keith Dewar, CEO, RQHR. “We are grateful to them for matching donors like PTI to our needs at the Region. Thanks to the Foundation and their donors for their dedication to Regina’s hospitals.” The Hospitals of Regina Foundation is a non-profit organization, guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Foundation is the only organization raising funds for southern Saskatchewan’s specialized care hospitals – the Regina General Hospital, the Pasqua Hospital and the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. Since 1987, Foundation donors have raised over $140 million to enhance healthcare