Lois Hole Hospital opening ceremonies

Thursday’s opening ceremony for a new $190-million dollar hospital was a dream come true for one former Edmontonian.

Dr.Wylam Faught, the former chief of obstetrics at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, was a key visionary in the new institution concentrating on women’s health in Alberta.

Faught worked at the Alexandra from 2002 to 2007 before moving on to Ottawa where he is currently lobbying to have a similar hospital built.

"Every big city across the country could benefit from something like this," said Faught, chairman of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the University of Ottawa and chief of obstetrics, gynecology and newborn care at the Ottawa Hospital. "Opening centers like Lois Hole is going to raise the awareness, raise the discussion level that we need to do more of this."

In addition to Faught, Premier Ed Stelmach, Lieut. Gov. Norman Kwong and Lois Hole’s son, Jim, spoke at the opening ceremonies Thursday afternoon.

Faught states that the seven-story hospital will be a very good thing as it brings doctors’ offices and operating rooms dedicated to women as well as outpatient clinics, teaching space and specialized beds all together in one facility.

Public tours will be available this weekend, patients are set to move in mid-May.

With files from the Edmonton Journal