Surrey Hospitals Foundation named official health-care partner for Surrey, B.C., set to lead fundraising for critical projects including new Cloverdale hospital.
Surrey Foundation Gets Official Recognition
The Surrey Hospitals Foundation (SHF) has been formally recognized as the designated health-care foundation for the City of Surrey. This announcement was made on July 3 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Cloverdale, just steps away from the construction site of the city’s long-awaited new hospital.
Government and Fraser Health Align With SHF
B.C. Minister of Health Josie Osborne, alongside Fraser Health representatives, confirmed the designation during the KPU event. The move solidifies SHF’s role as the city’s primary fundraising body for current and future health-care infrastructure. “This formal recognition reflects the important role Surrey Hospitals Foundation has played—and will continue to play—in supporting high-quality, accessible health care,” Osborne stated.
Driving Critical Investments in Surrey’s Health System
Over the past year alone, SHF has raised over $10 million for local health-care advancements. These include $5.2 million for the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre and $1.7 million for integrated operating room technology. Additionally, SHF has funded the development of a robotics program at Surrey Memorial Hospital to treat complex head, neck, and chest injuries.
Osborne emphasized that these contributions directly enhance patient care and strengthen the overall health system in the rapidly growing south Fraser region.
Future Projects and Medical School Plans
The foundation’s designation positions it at the helm of fundraising for upcoming initiatives including:
- The new Cloverdale hospital
- An acute care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital
- C.’s first new medical school in 55 years, set to open temporarily in Whalley by September 2026, with plans for a permanent campus later
“These projects are a testament to our shared commitment to building a robust and modern health-care system for the people of Surrey,” Osborne said.
Local MLA Raises Concerns
Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko, who attended the announcement, expressed mixed feelings. While praising SHF’s efforts and donor generosity, she voiced disappointment that no new government services were announced. “It’s disappointing knowing the urgent needs that we have here in Surrey,” she said, highlighting the billion-dollar budget overrun and delays plaguing the Cloverdale hospital project.
Sturko also stressed the need for enhanced hospital safety measures for health-care workers, calling it a priority for her party.
A Legacy of Community-Led Health Care
With more than $210 million contributed over 32 years, SHF remains the largest non-government health-care funder in Surrey. This new designation not only acknowledges its longstanding impact but also entrusts it with shaping the city’s future in health care.
As Surrey continues to expand, this partnership underscores the community’s growing role in funding and supporting essential health services.
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