The Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is gaining insight to the health of its patients as the latest beneficiary of the Port of Prince Rupert’s Community Investment Fund.

 

The Medical Imaging Department of the hospital identified the need for a new diagnostic ultrasound machine, an important tool used to see internal body structures and monitor organ function in patients. This equipment helps local physicians to assess and diagnose a variety of conditions and helps provide residents of Prince Rupert and surrounding coastal communities with timely and efficient health care.

 

"The opportunity to replace aging ultrasound technology with new equipment contributes significantly to our ability to provide high-quality health services in our area," said Heidi Johns, Health Services Administrator for Northern Health. "This investment ensures that the 4,000 ultrasound patients we see every year can continue to receive services locally, and we’re grateful for the continued financial support of the Port of Prince Rupert."

 

With a $72,500 contribution from the Port’s Community Investment Fund, and $25,000 from DP World Prince Rupert, Northern Health was able to match the funding required to purchase the new Phillips Epiq Diagnostic Ultrasound Machine in early 2018. The new machine improves the quality and variety of medical imaging services offered at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, and enhances the experience for sonography students in the practical training portion of their education.

 

"The Port of Prince Rupert is proud to partner once again with Northern Health to invest in the tools our doctors, nurses and support staff need to deliver local health services," said Joe Rektor, Interim President & CEO of the Port of Prince Rupert. "The Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is one of the most important public assets we have on British Columbia’s north coast, and we’re happy to see our Community Investment Fund further improve the quality of life for residents in our region."

 

Port of San Francisco is responsible for maintaining maritime facilities from the westernmost Historic Hyde Street Pier to Pier 96. The port annually dredges the Bay to ensure safe and navigable approaches, channels, and berths for vessels to support port maritime commerce. 

 

In 2017, The port dredged over 160,000 cubic yards of sediment – sand, silt, grave, etc. that settles at the bottom of the Bay – from the Cruise Terminals at Piers 27 and 35, Islais Creek Channel and Approach, and the Pier 80 Pasha Automotive Terminal. 

 

Dredged material must be carefully managed to prevent potentially adverse environmental samples from targeted sediment to determine the chemical and physical characteristics. Environmental regulatory agencies then review the sampling results. If the sediment is of sufficient quality, it can be used as a resource that provides environmental benefits rather then waste. In 2017, 65% of the sediment dredged by the port was clean enough to be taken to the Montezuma Wetlands Restoration Site in Solano County’s Suisun Marsh. 

 

The Montezuma Wetlands Restoration Project is returning farmland to its original wetland state. Dredged sediment raises the surface elevations to conditions suitable for tidal marshes and creates habitat for endangered plant and animal species. While costly for the port to take material to the Montezuma Wetlands the Port budgeted and spent over $3.5 million to ensure that over 100,000 cubic yards of sediment benefited this important 10-year-plus project.