News Releases

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 13, 2012) - The campaign to equip the new Oakville Hospital has received a significant boost thanks to BMO Financial Group's $500,000 pledge to the Oakville Hospital Foundation. The announcement was made in Oakville today at BMO Bank of Montreal, Third Line and Dundas Branch.

"We are pleased to support the new Oakville Hospital and invest in a healthier community for the residents of Oakville," said John MacAulay, Vice President, GTA West District, BMO Financial Group. "The upgrades provided by this initiative will help improve the quality of life across the community, which is always a priority at BMO."

BMO will be recognized for their gift through the naming of the BMO Financial Group Pre-Operative Care Area housed within the Surgical Day Care Unit of the new hospital. The Surgical Day Care Unit will provide pre-operative preparation for surgical outpatient and same day surgical admissions as well as second stage recovery areas and pre-discharge care for surgical outpatients.

"The development of non-invasive surgical procedures and other technological advances has led to approximately 80 per cent of all surgical procedures being done through day surgery, resulting in fewer hospital stays," said Dr. Miles Kealey, Co-Chief of Surgery. "BMO's donation will enable Halton Healthcare Services to purchase leading edge medical equipment for this growing program, providing patients with access to top quality surgical services, close to home." By 2015/2016, it is projected that close to 15,000 annual procedures will be performed within the Surgical Day Care program at the new Hospital.

BMO's $500,000 contribution in support of the Surgical Day Care program will be used to purchase new and replacement equipment required to deliver high quality outpatient care to Oakville residents, including: defibrillators, IV pumps, physiological monitors, stretchers, and ultrasound scanners.

"As one of the first banks to pledge support to our campaign, we applaud BMO for their generosity and leadership," said Tina Triano, CEO of the Oakville Hospital Foundation. "BMO has garnered a reputation for investing in the health and interests of its employees and customers and this gift today in support of the new Oakville Hospital further demonstrates their commitment to the community."

About Oakville Hospital Foundation

The Oakville Hospital Foundation is partnering with the community to fund essential equipment for Oakville's Hospital to enable high quality patient care. Generous support from the community is needed to help the Foundation achieve its $60 million campaign goal to equip the state-of-the-art health care facility scheduled to open in December 2015.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $477 billion as at October 31, 2011, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.