DRHC Successfully Performs 1st Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy

June 21, 2021

The Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) is pleased to announce that a new procedure has been performed successfully onsite in collaboration with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). The laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove a tumorous kidney, and takes approximately three and a half hours to perform.

"I am extremely happy to be able to offer service to the people of Northwestern Ontario in a timely, safe manner that is close to home in Dryden," says Dr. Walid Shahrour, the urologist based out of Thunder Bay who performed the procedure. "My team has been working closely with the team in Dryden to build a service that has allowed us to complete the first laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in Northwestern Ontario outside of Thunder Bay."

Dr. Shahrour says that he and his team are working with DRHC to offer a range of urology services to Dryden, with the goal to reduce travel for patients in the region.
"I am thankful for the timely care and the ability to have my surgery close to home in Dryden. I was impressed by the quick turnaround from the diagnosis to surgery as it was a matter of a few weeks," says patient Dale Allen. "I am fortunate that [this procedure] has given me an optimistic outlook for the future. I would like to thank Dr. Shahrour and the entire team in Dryden."

"It is truly impressive to see how partners have come together across the region to meet the needs of patients", said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre (TBRHSC) and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. "This collaborative spirit, combined with the innovative care designed by Dr. Shahrour and his team means high-quality care will be available to more patients and families that need it most."

"Collaboration with regional partners is vital to ensuring that the community has access to care and services," says Dr. Bruce Cook, Chief of Staff for the Dryden Regional Health Centre. "The staff and medical staff at DRHC are proud to work with regional partners to provide the best possible outcome for our patients."

"Offering new procedures that can be performed in our community has a big impact on our patients who would otherwise have to travel to receive care. The staff at DRHC are eager to add new advanced procedures in Dryden to ensure that patients receive the best possible care," says Doreen Armstrong-Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
"Thank you to the Dryden Regional Health Services Foundation and the support of the community, who made it possible to purchase the equipment necessary to bring new urology services to our hospital," says Armstrong-Ross.

For further information, please contact:
Doreen Armstrong-Ross
Chief Executive Officer
Dryden Regional Health Centre
Box 3003,
Dryden, Ontario P8N 2Z6
Telephone: (807) 223-8201 Extension 2260

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