November 30, 2005
Contact:
Tommasina Conte
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 77062
LHSC unveils "Dagnone Drive" as tribute to retiring president
Naming of new road at LHSC Victoria Hospital honours legacy
of hospital's first president
(LONDON, Ontario) - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) Board Chair Jeff Low unveiled a street sign today naming Dagnone Drive as the campus road leading to the future Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion. The naming honours the vision and leadership of Tony Dagnone, LHSC's first president and chief executive officer, who has announced his retirement for the end of this year.
"As founding president and CEO of London Health Sciences Centre, Tony Dagnone holds a distinctive place in the history of this institution," says Low. "A passionate advocate of health care throughout his 13 years at LHSC, his vision for the hospital has driven our redevelopment goals: first through his unwavering determination to achieve Milestone I; and more recently, through his efforts to secure funding for Milestone II. Today, we recognize his vision, drive, and leadership in redeveloping LHSC by naming the roadway in front of our largest addition in his honour."
The announcement was made today at a staff appreciation event held in the building shell of the future Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion at LHSC Victoria Hospital. When completed in 2008 as part of the London hospitals' restructuring plan, the facility will be one of the first in Canada to unite the unique health care needs of women and children in one centre.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one of Canada's largest acute care teaching hospitals and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. LHSC has pioneered many national and international medical breakthroughs.
Located in London, Ontario, LHSC encompasses three sites, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria Hospital; two family medical centres; and the London Regional Cancer Program. LHSC is the home of the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics). The research arm of LHSC is Lawson Health Research Institute, which is partnered with London's other teaching hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care, London. LHSC is affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians and staff at LHSC number more than 8,000 and together they provide care for more than 650,000 patients each year.
