_ my “ft 5 eaands SORES rk Pe eine oe a Ad Terrace Review — Wednesday, November 28, 1990 Nuclear medicine diagnotic service up and running at Mills Memorial Hospital by Tod Strachan Although the first patient to benefit from nuclear medicine in ‘Terrace was processed this week, nuclear medicine at Mills Memorial Hospital will become an “official” reality on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. At that time, invited dignitaries will cut the ribbon and hospital staff will offer tours of this new regional facility to the public. The nuclear medicine department, located on the second floor of the hospital, is staffed by two new members to our community: nuclear medicine technicians Susan Winther from Prince George who will manage the department and Mitchel! Griffith, a recent graduate of the Southem Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. The Terrace staff will work in conjunction with nuclear medicine specialist Dr. Robert Morrison in Vancouver, who will provide medical support services out of UBC's nuclear medicine facility at Shaughnessy Hospital. Video and data from testing will be trans- mitted to Morrison via telephone lines for medical interpretation and diagnosis. Morrison will also be visiting Mills Memorial on a Having nuclear medicine services in Terrace means residents of the region no longer have to travel to Vancouver or Prince George for a number of tests and treatments. Above, manager Susan Winther stands in the heart of the new facility at Mills Memorial Hospital; on the left is the computer equipment that analyzes the data produced by the gamma counter on the right. regular basis; two days each month and one week each quarter. The cost of new equipment was $450,000, construction costs totalled $300,000 and annua! operating cosis of the service are expected to be around $300,000. Most of the operating costs will be absorbed by the province’s Medi- cal Services Plan through fee pay- ments and an annual $154,000 operating grant. Benefits to the community will twofold: accessibility to tests and a reduction for in transportation costs and delays. Prior to the open- ing of the nuclear medicine facility at Mills Memorial, Northwest residents had a choice of travelling either to Prince George or Vancouver for tests of only a few hours duration. Nuctear medicine uses low grade tadioactive materials injected into the body to help diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders far earlier and much more effectively than was pre- viously possible. Using gamma cameras, computers and radio- active counters, doctors have im- mediate access to brain, thyroid, bone and lung scans, as well as cardiac, liver and gallbladder imaging. Everyone in the community is being invited to lake advantage of the hospital’s nuclear medicine tour offer on Dec. 6 to learn first- hand that nuclear medicine is a safe and effective science. Mills Memorial Hospital has long served as a-regional facility, but the establishment of nuclear medi- cine here is a landmark event. It is the first real indication by the Ministry of Health that they too recognize Terrace as the regional health care centre of the North- -west, This in itself is a major accom- plishment of the board of directors of the Terrace Regional Health Care Society. And with the pend- ing introduction of a CT Scanner at Mills Memorial, it appears that the Terrace hospital is rapidly becoming entrenched in its official regional role. — "oe Northwest Arts and Entertainment Calendar R.E.M. Lee Theatre ‘Dec, 4, 7:30 p.m. - Annual "Carol Sing" presented by the Ministerial Association ‘Dec. 5, 8 p.m. - Liona Boyd in concert McColl Playhouse ‘Dec. 1- "Sinners", an adult comedy presented by th the Terrace Little Theatre. Tickets at Erwin Jewellers The Terrace Inn *Gigi’s - Double Exposure eAugie's - Karin Ljiungh and Glen Fossum Northern Motor Inn «George’s Pub - Loose Change Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 13 *Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 - "Moonshine" bluegrass band from Kitimat Prince Rupert Performing Arts Theatre *Nov. 29 & 30, & Dec. 1 - 8 p.m. - "Steel Magnolias", a Harbour Theatre - production *Dec. 7, 8 p.m. - Liona Boyd, guitarist. Presented by the Concert Society Mount Elizabeth Theatre, Kitimat Nov. 28 & 29 - A Night at the Theatre, presented by M.E.S.S. Players. Senior acting students perform a variety of plays. TERRACE CE Q UI P M ENT Kitimat Centennial Museum | SA L ES LTD. oo | . eUntil'Dec. 22 - "A Brush With Colour" paintings by Ariel | Haun & Des os Ecards 4441 Lakelse Avenuo, Terrace 635- 6384 Sy ERE Se ee) See Cea ne reo sos ts) Prices So Hot, They’re Glowing? | Save | Up To $684. 00 r * The savings shawn tre based on Manisfecturer’s original cuggested relall crices. At participallng Ski-Doo dealers while supplies tast, until Jan. 2, 1991. Dealer financial contribution required. Dealer may sel! for bess, Actual setling price is set by dealer. Dealer preparaticn, [reight and Lixes are not Included. Yold where prohibiled by law. Some models may nol be available in certain areas. "Trademara of Bombaniier Inc. iz ete