OTTAWA, June 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) Foundation and Scotiabank announced a $150,000 gift during an unveiling ceremony for the Scotiabank Physiotherapy/Rehabilitation Gym, newly named in recognition of the bank's five-year commitment to the Hospital Foundation's capital campaign. The ceremony was attended by QCH staff, physicians, patients and Scotiabankers.

"We are proud to recognize our community partners at Scotiabank for their continued commitment to the health and wellness of our community - the community where they raise their own families and provide great service to their friends and neighbours," says Melanie Adams, the QCH Foundation's President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Scotiabank Physiotherapy/Rehabilitation Gym complements QCH's existing Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology programs at the Joseph & Rita Clarke Rehabilitation Centre, which supports more than 20,000 patients each year.

"Scotiabank, through its Bright Future philanthropic program, is proud to support the Queensway Carleton Hospital, which shares in our belief that healthy communities make stronger communities," says Jeff Darwin, Scotiabank's Vice President for the Ottawa River District. "Queensway Carleton Hospital is deeply rooted in our west Ottawa community and thousands of Scotiabankers and our valued customers benefit from the commitment and dedication of the hospital's physicians and staff."

The Scotiabank Physiotherapy/Rehabilitation Gym operates five days a week for eight hours each day with a core focus of ensuring long-term well-being and the maintenance of optimal health for its patients. Not only are staff rehabilitating injuries, but they are also focused on improving functional ability. Treatment programs vary depending on the needs of each individual patient, from assessments of strength and balance to exercise programs recommended by therapists to improve coordination, balance and functionality.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Queensway Carleton Hospital is a patient and family-centred, urban community hospital providing a broad range of acute care services to the people of Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley. Employing almost 1,800 health care professionals, the 264-bed Queensway Carleton Hospital is the secondary referral centre for the Ottawa Valley. Hospital staff focus on maintaining and enhancing their cornerstone programs - Emergency, Childbirth, Geriatrics, Mental Health, Medical and Surgical Services and Rehabilitation.  Grounded on an environment of lifelong learning, the Queensway Carleton Hospital is a teaching partner with the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and other healthcare programs and is committed to delivering a new standard of care for our community.

Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation is a registered charity with the mission: To improve and save lives by working with our donors, our hospital and our community to encourage philanthropic gifts in support of patient care.  The Foundation and its volunteers are responsible for raising and distributing philanthropic gifts in support of the programs and projects of Queensway Carleton Hospital.

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations