Arthritis Program celebrates a decade of service

Newmarket, Ontario - The Arthritis Program (TAP) at Southlake Regional Health Centre recently celebrated its tenth anniversary as an outpatient program formally funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

"We are very proud of this milestone because it means that thousands of arthritis sufferers in this region have benefited from this unique program, and that thousands more will continue to do so in the decade to come," commented Daniel Carriere, President and CEO.

At the anniversary celebration, several special guests, including Denis Morrice, President and CEO for The Arthritis Society, spoke positively about the services offered through TAP. Also part of the celebration was a $25,000 cheque presentation made to the hospital Foundation by Pharmacia's Executive Director of Marketing, Janice Selemba, who presented the donation on behalf of Pharmacia and Pfizer.

"Pharmacia and Pfizer's show of support for the level of care we strive to offer our patients is exemplary," stated Dr. Carter Thorne, Medical Director for TAP.

For developing in a community hospital setting, a program that provides education as well as treatment, and that offers customized care to individuals who may be suffering from any one of the 134 different types of arthritis, TAP has been recognized regionally and internationally.

With an average of 2,000 new referrals per year coming to TAP from not only York, Simcoe and Muskoka Regions, but also Peel, Durham and the GTA, the program's team has collaborated with several hospitals including Royal Victoria Hospital who have duplicated the program's model in Barrie.

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