Scotiabank's gift of $500,000 to expand Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at
    Montreal Neurological Institute and HospitalMONTREAL, May 26 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today announced a donation of
$500,000 to the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital's (The Neuro)
"Thinking Ahead" campaign, which will expand the hospital's Multiple Sclerosis
(MS) Clinic. The expanded facility will result in improved service and care
for people with MS.
    "Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world, and while
most often MS is diagnosed in young adults, it affects people of all ages,"
said Diane Giard, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Quebec/Eastern Ontario.
"As employer of choice, employee health and well-being are very important to
Scotiabank - and health issues are very important to our employees, customers
and the communities we serve."
    The Neuro's original MS Clinic was established in 1949, the first in
Canada, and it has remained a priority for clinical and research activities
ever since. Many patients with MS are now living longer, more productive lives
thanks to improvements in treatments available in recent years and every year
physicians at The Neuro see more patients. Currently, Neuro scientists lead
numerous international multidisciplinary programs and clinical trials and are
conducting twelve clinical studies at the present time. Neuro physicians
follow 2,000 patients in the MS Clinic and see close to 4,300 patients
annually. The Scotiabank expansion will give Neuro physicians and researchers
the space and facilities to enhance multi-disciplinary research and patient
care.
    "For almost 75 years, patients at The Neuro have benefited from an
environment where there is constant interaction between clinicians and
researchers," said Dr. David R. Colman, Director of The Neuro. "Private
funding has always been essential to this effort and we salute Scotiabank for
its crucial support of our programs."
    The Neuro's clinical expansion will create 7,624 square feet of
multi-purpose shared clinical space, physically located in one area, where
patients can be seen by a diverse yet all-encompassing health care team. The
multi-disciplinary approach includes strengths in neurosurgery, neurology,
radiation oncology, neuropsychology, psychiatry and includes physicians,
nurses, social workers, physical, occupational and speech therapists,
nutritionists, and psychologists. By consolidating all of these resources in
one location - a one-stop approach - patients and their families can discuss
treatment options with their health care team all in the course of one visit.
    Scotiabank's support will enhance the ability of clinicians to provide
researchers with valuable information about the patients, the disease
progression being seen in the Clinic, and the effectiveness of treatments.
This, in turn, will enhance the translation of basic research findings to the
development of novel treatments and therapies, an approach that makes the
Neuro unique and holds great promise for significant progress in the battle
against MS.About the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital
    ------------------------------------------------------The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) is a unique
academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience. The Neuro is a research and
teaching institute of McGill University and forms the basis for the
Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre. Founded in 1934
by the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro is recognized internationally
for integrating research, compassionate patient care and advanced training,
all key to advances in science and medicine. Neuro researchers are world
leaders in cellular and molecular neuroscience, brain imaging, cognitive
neuroscience and the study and treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and
neuromuscular disorders. For more information, please visit www.mni.mcgill.ca.About Scotiabank
    ----------------Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2008 the Bank provided about $43 million in sponsorships and
donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of
healthcare, education and social services and arts and culture. Please visit
us at www.scotiabank.com.