January 29, 2010/- Today Kingston’s hospitals celebrated the announcement of a $150,000 gift from Scotiabank to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, and Providence Care.  

Scotiabank’s gift will support the expansion of Providence Care’s Mood Disorders Research and Treatment Services’ Outreach Team, a program that provides mental health services to people in their homes or home-community, including those who live in rural and remote areas.   

“We are grateful to Scotiabank for becoming a key partner in advancing the quality of mental health care for people living in rural Southeastern Ontario,” said Dr. Roumen Milev, Head, Department of Psychiatry for Kingston’s hospitals and Medical Director, Mental Health Program, at KGH and Hotel Dieu. “People living in small towns face many barriers to receiving specialized mental health care, including finding available and affordable transportation to travel to appointments in larger centres. This gift will help us expand our outreach team’s support in Lennox & Addington and Hastings counties and provide specialized mental health care closer to those in need in these underserviced rural areas.”  

“Scotiabank is committed to playing an active role in our communities,” said Allan Twohey, Kingston Community Manager, Scotiabank  “We are proud to support the outreach work of Providence Care because we believe that investing in the future of healthcare is an important investment in all our futures. Scotiabank recognizes the impact Providence Care’s work has on the community and we are pleased to be supporting that very important work.” 

Scotiabank’s gift is included in Kingston hospitals’ $70-million Together We Can campaign.  

“This is truly a wonderful gift,” said Denise Cumming, Executive Director, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation. “Scotiabank is known for their commitment to supporting rehabilitation projects, and we are honoured that they have decided to make a gift toward Providence Care’s Mental Health Services."  

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com. 

About Providence Care’s Mood Disorders Research and Treatment Service 

Providence Care's Mental Health Services provides care to people who are living with a persistent mental illness and learning to regain their health and the skills to live independently. 

The hospital’s Mood Disorders Research and Treatment Service offers treatment for adults with major depression, bipolar disorders, dysthymia, anxiety, and other persistent mood disorders. It is a leading research centre in the field of mood and anxiety disorders. Areas of expertise include mood disorders in general, psychopharmacology, sleep studies, seasonal affective disorders, and program evaluation. Staff have presented and published their work at a number of national and international meetings. Placements are provided for students in nursing, medicine, psychology, occupational therapy, theology, social work,recreation, and nutrition. 

About University Hospitals Kingston Foundation 

The $70-million Together We Can campaign is the largest and most important health care fundraising initiative in the history of Southeastern Ontario. Led by the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the joint fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care, the campaign will raise money for the redevelopment of our hospitals, the purchasing of equipment and the funding of medical research and staff education. To find out more about giving opportunities or to make a donation call 613-549-5452 or toll-free 866-549-5452 or go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.

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