The da Vinci surgical robot entered Rocky General Hospital’s operating room in 2010 // Integrating da Vinci technology allowed surgeons to perform delicate and complex procedures with enhanced precision and control. For patients undergoing difficult surgeries, robotic-assisted procedures mean fewer complications, smaller incisions, and faster recoveries.
Alberta’s first Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) program at Rockyview General Hospital // For patients with enlarged prostates who have trouble urinating, the minimally invasive HoLEP procedure uses a laser to remove overgrown tissue through the urethra. HoLEP requires no external incision and carries lower risk than many traditional surgical approaches. As demand for this effective treatment has grown, donor support in 2025 allowed for the purchase of a second laser. This ensures more patients can access timely care and avoid prolonged discomfort or complications. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy program // rTMS is a non-invasive, evidence-based option for individuals with treatment- resistant depression who do not respond to medication. rTMS offers new hope by using targeted magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells and improve symptoms. When demand quickly outpaced capacity, donors stepped forward to expand the program. Dedicated treatment spaces at both Rockyview General Hospital and Foothills Medical Centre were created so more patients living with severe depression could access rTMS therapy to reclaim their quality of life.
A commitment to fundraise $3.5 million to establish the Mitral Valve Interventions Program (MVIP) // This program brings new, minimally invasive procedural options to patients who once required open- heart surgery. Nearly 2,000 patients undergo cardiac surgery in Calgary each year. Some of these patients now have a less-invasive option thanks to the MVIP. Using advanced heart-valve technologies, local surgeons can now reduce surgical trauma, shorten recovery times, and improve outcomes for patients with complex heart conditions.
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The Magnetic Localization (Sentimag) Program // A three-year collaboration between Calgary Health Foundation and Alberta Cancer Foundation, this pilot project is dramatically improving the way women in Calgary undergo breast-preserving cancer surgery. Convincing results and strong support meant that in 2025, the use of Magseeds became the new standard of care in the province, eliminating the traditional use of invasive hook wires for tumour marking.
Breakthroughs [ Spring 2026 ]
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