Building capacity and expanding resources for first-class surgical care close to home

MARKHAM, ON, March 8, 2018 /CNW/ - This April, 25 devoted Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) supporters will spend 18 days trekking 154 km to Base Camp Mount Everest all in support of surgical care.

The diverse team of physicians, clinicians, MSH staff, business leaders and passionate supporters have come together for one common goal: supporting local healthcare?and their community has rallied behind them.

On March 6, Flato Developments Inc. was announced as the MSH Trek Everest Lead Sponsor.

"At Flato, we believe that building communities means more than just building homes ? it is about giving back to the services and facilities that matter to the residents," says President Shakir Rehmatullah. "We sincerely appreciate all of the trekkers taking a significant amount of time out to support this great hospital."

The Markham-based building and land development company has a culture deeply rooted in philanthropy with a sense of responsibility for supporting community services. This shared goal resonates with the Trek team. For them, it's more than just an opportunity to take in all of the beauty of the Himalayas.

The team will be raising funds for a new hybrid operating room (OR) equipped with fluoroscopy, or real-time x-ray video.

"This suite will provide a flexible, adaptable environment with extra space to incorporate new advanced equipment while empowering our surgical staff to provide world class care right here in the community," says Dr. John Di Costanzo, Urologist, MSH.

The new OR will support the growing need for procedures that investigate the gastrointestinal tract, liver biopsies and urological surgery, as well as the growth of the hospital's surgical orthopaedic program.

"For many of us, this experience is a bucket-list endeavor doubling as a philanthropic summit ? with a cause too important to ignore," says Brad Morris, MSH Foundation Board Chair and trekker.  "Our goal is to impact lives ? right here at home as well as in Nepalese communities."

Ten healthcare practitioners among the trekkers will travel to Nepal five days early to assist in the Solukhumbu District Hospital and three others will volunteer at a local school.

The team is committed to raising $750,000 for MSH ? the adventure of a lifetime begins April 14?follow their journey at mshtrekeverest.ca.

SOURCE Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation