( Ottawa, Ontario, September 12, 2008) – SCO Health Service, one of Ontario’s oldest and leading continuing health care providers, has been renamed Bruyère Continuing Care. The new name and brand were officially unveiled today in the O’Brien Family Century Club Atrium at Saint-Vincent Hospital.  The event included a key note address by Premier Dalton McGuinty and speeches by Mayor Larry O’Brien, Dr. Robert Cushman, CEO, Champlain Local Health Integration Network and Jean Bartkowiak, President and CEO, Bruyère Continuing Care. 

Bruyère Continuing Care’s values of respect, compassion, collaboration, accountability and learning and its historic tradition are embraced by staff and volunteers at all sites. This new brand will further strengthen its commitment to the community. It all started 163 years ago with a very humble beginning -- one patient, Mother Élisabeth Bruyère and three Sisters opening a hospital. Today it cares for 753 inpatients and thousands of outpatients and has 2,000 staff and some 800 volunteers.

"I am very proud and grateful for the health care professionals who bring compassion and caring each day to the emergency rooms, hospitals, clinics and continuing care facilities -- like Bruyère Continuing Care -- across Ontario," says Premier Dalton McGuinty. "The lessons that Mother Élisabeth Bruyère taught us about true charity and kindness live on through your dedication, and we thank you."

“I am very proud today to officially declare September 12th Élisabeth Bruyère Day in Ottawa,” says Mayor Larry O’Brien. “Élisabeth Bruyère made an incredible contribution to our community when she opened the first hospital here in 1845 and her legacy lives on through the compassionate, exemplary care provided each and every day at Saint-Vincent Hospital, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, Saint-Louis Residence, Élisabeth Bruyère Residence and Primrose and Bruyère Family Medicine Centres.”

“We are proud today to rename our organization Bruyère Continuing Care and to reinforce our commitment to our community,” says Jean Bartkowiak, President and CEO, Bruyère Continuing Care. “Bruyère Continuing Care is the champion of well-being for aging Canadians and those requiring continuing care helping them become and remain as healthy and independent as possible through innovative and compassionate care, research, education and advocacy.”

The new name, Bruyère Continuing Care, was chosen by hundreds of staff, volunteers, community partners and donors who voted in October 2007. In addition to the name change, there will be a new website www.bruyere.org and a single telephone number for all sites: 613-562-6262.  The names of some sites have changed and the final names are:

–         Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital (formerly known as Élisabeth Bruyère Health Centre)

–         Saint-Vincent Hospital

–         Élisabeth Bruyère Residence (formerly known as Villa Marguerite)

–         Saint-Louis Residence

–         Bruyère Foundation

–         Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute

–         Bruyère Family Medicine Centre

–         Primrose Family Medicine Centre

The new name and logo, both of which were unveiled today, will be fully rolled out over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and maximize efficiency.

Bruyère Continuing Care is the champion of well-being for aging Canadians and those requiring continuing care helping them become and remain as healthy and independent as possible through innovative and compassionate care, research, education and advocacy. Located in Ottawa, Bruyère Continuing Care provides complex continuing care, palliative care, rehabilitation, care of the elderly, long-term care, research and family medicine. One of the largest health care centres of its kind in Canada, Bruyère Continuing Care includes:  Saint-Vincent Hospital, Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, Résidence Saint-Louis, Résidence Élisabeth Bruyère, Bruyère Family Medicine Centre, Primrose Family Medicine Centre and Bruyère Foundation.

New logos and photos available upon request.

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For further information, please contact:

Suzanne Charest

Manager, Communications, Bruyère Continuing Care

Tel:  613-562-6262 ext: 4020, Cel:  613-371-8841