people don’t typically know that a pathologistis involved with their care.”

Technology is also evolving rapidly alongwith a constantly increasing number of testsand specific markers to be aware of to helpguide patients’ treatment and care—especiallywhen dealing with cancer. “I like to think we’reat the dawn of the age of molecular medicine,”says Dr. Rouse.

Each year, the Stratford lab completes anastonishing volume of tests. But for Dr. Rouse,it’s not just a numbers game. “Part of whatdrives me personally is knowing that there’sa person behind those tests that’s waiting fortheir results; someone who deserves an answer.I think about that all the time,” he says.

Serving a large geographical area andaddressing lab tests that are steadily growingin number and complexity has requiredsignificant investments of donor money in

Community UpdateOur Doctors Have a Tremendous IMPACT!

Donations save lives. That’s as true fordonors who support the Hospital Foundation’sfundraising efforts as it is for donors whosupport organ and tissue donations fortransplant.

And both kinds of donors have a special placein the heart of pathologist Dr. Tyler Rouse whohas seen the impact that selflessly giving—andgiving of self—can have on people’s lives.

Originally from London, Dr. Rousecompleted his undergraduate degree at theUniversity of Western Ontario (UWO) andmedical school at the University of Torontobefore heading back to Western for hisresidency.

He came to Stratford some 13 years ago—adecision he’s never regretted thanks toStratford’s unique character, a fulfilling careerand colleagues and coworkers he treasures. It’salso provided a wonderful place for Dr. Rouseand his wife to raise their three children.

As an anatomical pathologist, Dr. Rousespends most of his time examining biopsies andexcised tissue mainly in search of cancer. Andwith the information gleaned in the Lab, heworks collaboratively with other physicians—particularly surgeons—to help determine whattreatment plan can be most effective.

“They used to call pathologists the doctor’sdoctor because we work across the boardwith so many different physicians in a givenday. It’s not very glamorous and we workmainly behind the scenes,” he explains. “Butyou know you’re making a big impact even if

recent years, replacing old lab equipmentand adding new “game changing” diagnostictechnology. That includes the BD Max,advanced molecular technology used todiagnose both COVID-19 and influenza.

Right now plans are also underway torelocate the lab into new space as part of SGHFoundation’s “In Our Hands” Campaign. Thecurrent lab is in old space, scattered betweenfloors, and “bursting at the seams.”

“New space would be amazing. Even thoughwe’re behind the scenes, about 70 per cent ofall patient interactions are directly dependanton the lab,” explains Dr. Rouse. “Our hospitalis a pillar of the community and we’re sodependent on the Foundation’s work and thesupport of donors. Without them we couldn’toffer this kind of first class medical care that’sso important to the well-being of the citizensof this town and the area.”

Not content with the rigours of pathology,Dr. Rouse has recently taken on a newchallenge as president of the Medical AdvisoryCommittee and Chair of the Credentials andPhysician Resource Committee. “I love beingpart of the administrative side too, ensuringphysicians’ needs are met and also getting toknow the new physicians coming in,” he says.

Dr. Rouse has also been instrumental inworking with the Trillium Gift of Life Networkto help kick start and promote a local programto recover organs and tissue that can help savethe lives of people awaiting transplants.

Thank you to The Stratford and Area Lions Club for their generous donation of PPE for our#HealthcareHeroes! L-R: Andrea Page, ED SGH Foundation with Amy Roth, member of TheStratford Lions Club.

Lions Stand By Healthcare Heroes!

New parallel bars were installed in the physiotherapy gym at Stratford General Hospital thanksto the generosity of donors. The new bars will have the capacity to serve a more diversepopulation of patients and provide safer care.

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We Can Never Say Thank You Enough Young Philanthropists Rock!

A salute to Brittany’s Bath Bombs And More for supporting our tiniest patients! A total of$2503.00 has been donated to our Special Care Nursery- Teddy Bear and Friends Fundraiser.L-R: Brittany Henry, Loralee McNaughton - RN Maternal Child Unit, and Kerri Hannon- Managerof Maternal Child Unit

We can’t thank the Rossi and Longstonfamilies enough! Pictured here: Thechildren of the Rossi and Longston familieswith the lovely Painted Rocks they madeas a fundraiser for the HPHA HealthcareHeroes fund

DR TYLER ROUSE