QEII Foundation Welcomes BMO Arthroplasty Gift

    HALIFAX, Jan. 24 /CNW/ - Today the QEII Foundation recognized a gift of
$450,000 from BMO Financial Group towards the establishment of a Chair in
Arthroplasty Outcomes Research. Arthroplasty, the surgical reconstruction or
replacement of a malformed or degenerated joint, is a procedure dramatically
on the rise as Canada's population ages. The Honourable Constance Glube, Chair
of the QEII Foundation's Board of Trustees, called the BMO gift "a major step
forward" as the Foundation continues to raise funds to establish the proposed
Chair in Arthroplasty Outcomes Research. "A Chair in Arthroplasty Outcomes
Research will further help establish Dalhousie University and the QEII as
world leaders in the outcomes of hip and knee arthroplasty," said Constance
Glube.
    Dr. David Amirault, the Division Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at the QEII,
has seen an increasing need for arthroplasty procedures, particularly in the
45-55 age group, where incidences have doubled over the past seven years. "In
an effort to increase the success rate of arthroplasty operations,
particularly in this younger age group, new prosthesis designs and concepts
are constantly being released for general use," he said. "These new designs
and concepts will greatly benefit from the research and testing technologies
that a Chair in Arthroplasty Outcomes will deliver for Atlantic Canadians."
    The gift from BMO Financial Group, made under the QEII Foundation's
record-breaking Working Miracles capital campaign for health, represents the
company's commitment to investing in healthier outcomes for the region. "At
BMO Financial Group, we recognize and support the vital role that hospitals
play in our communities across the country, as healthy communities are the
foundation of a strong society," said Steve Murphy, Senior Vice-President,
Atlantic Canada, BMO Bank of Montreal. "We are extremely pleased that our gift
will provide ongoing funding to further implement, refine and develop
radiostereometric analysis technologies to the benefit of Atlantic Canadians,"
added Mr. Murphy.

    About BMO Financial Group

    BMO Bank of Montreal operates 85 branches in Atlantic Canada. BMO
Financial Group also serves clients in the region through 15 BMO Nesbitt Burns
branches and three BMO Harris Private Banking offices. BMO Financial Group is
an active corporate citizen, with more than $5 million in on-going community
investment in Atlantic Canada.

    About the QEII Foundation

    The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation is a non-profit,
charitable organization established to strengthen the QEII's ability to
provide health care of the highest quality across Atlantic Canada. The QEII
Foundation raises funds for state of the art technology, community-based
disease prevention initiatives, professional education and medical research.
Since 1996, the QEII Foundation has raised more than $120 million for the
QEII.
    The mission of the QEII Foundation is: Leading the spirit of philanthropy
to enrich health care for Atlantic Canadians

For further information: Steve Jennex, APR, Communications Director,
QEII Foundation, (902) 473-5591; Ronald Monet, Directeur général / Director, 
Communications / Regional Corporate Communications, BMO Groupe financier / BMO
Financial Group, (514) 877-1873, F: (514) 877-1805, ronald.monet@bmo.com