The W.H. Tidmarsh Foundation Supports Men’s Health Care in PEI
JUNE 20, 2023
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation announced a significant donation in support of men’s health delivered at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Jack Simmonds, Chair of The W.H. Tidmarsh Foundation, announced that the Foundation is donating $500,000 in support of the Provincial Urology Service at QEH and overall men’s health care in the province.
“We chose urology as it closely matched the benefactor’s original intent to provide for a men’s community care home in Charlottetown,” said Simmonds. “We appreciate the Rotary Club of Charlottetown’s additional donation in honour of Mr. Tidmarsh.”
The Tidmarsh Board designated the donation with $300,000 for current urology care needs, and $200,000 to establish a named endowment fund to support future care of Islanders, in keeping with QEH Foundation’s tagline Care Today for Tomorrow.
W. “Harry” Tidmarsh was born in Charlottetown in 1882 and was a successful businessman, operating lobster canneries across the Island, a fox farm, and a wholesale business. In addition, he was the Founding President of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown. Mr. Tidmarsh, through his Will, formed The W. H. Tidmarsh Foundation upon his passing in 1960.
Dr. Daniel Costa, QEH Urologist, says their team welcomes this generous gift and this new equipment will enhance care through the use a new Optical Urethrotome, Resectoscopes, and a Thulium Laser, along with the named endowment fund to allow planning for future annual needs.
“We perform approximately 900 surgeries per year and some of the common treatments we deal with are diagnosing and treating prostate, bladder and kidney cancers, bladder infections, kidney stones, and urinary tract issues,” says Costa. “The new Thulium Laser will be a game-changer for patient care. This new laser can break down kidney stones much quicker and can take on larger stones than the equipment we have. The equipment is also smaller, quieter, and portable. Thank you to everyone involved with The W.H. Tidmarsh Foundation and the Rotary Club of Charlottetown for making this incredible gift.”
Corrine Hendricken-Eldershaw, President of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown, was in attendance and stated the Club was pleased to donate an additional $40,000 toward the Thulium Laser in recognition of Mr. Tidmarsh as the Founder of the first Rotary Club in PEI.
“Not only was Harry Tidmarsh a successful businessman, he saw the need for professionals to meet in a community-minded focused social gathering,” says Hendricken-Eldershaw. “In 1917, Mr. Tidmarsh, along with three close friends, established PEI’s first Rotary Club – the Rotary Club of Charlottetown and he became the Founding President. We are honouring him today by making this donation toward the new laser that will help all Islanders, men and women, who need this service.”
Mount Herbert’s Ken Pierce spoke about his recent experiences as a patient with prostate cancer.
“In 2020 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer when blood tests revealed I had increased levels of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen),” say Pierce. “I was referred to QEH Urologist Dr. Michael Mulligan and then placed in the capable hands of Radiation Oncologist Dr. Larry Pan, Dr. Aneita Head and staff in the PEICTC. I received over forty radiation treatments and have had a spectacular recovery and hope by sharing I can assist others to recover.”
John Gaudet, Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, thanked the two organizations for their kindness toward helping address the equipment needs at the Island’s largest hospital equipment.
“On behalf of Island patients and their families who need urology services we say a sincere thank you,” says Mr. Gaudet. “Your kindness will improve care to Islanders today and we will see the impact well into the future.”
Background
W. “Harry” Tidmarsh
“W. Harry” Tidmarsh was born in Charlottetown in 1882. He and his wife, Josephine (nee Blake) lived at 11 Churchill Avenue in Charlottetown, now designated as a heritage home ‘Tidmarsh House’. His business professionincluded being a lobster packer, broker and an exporter. At one time, he owned six lobster canneries including one in North Lake and Campbell’s Cove and he shipped his product around the world. He also ran a successful fox farm in Lewis Point as well as a wholesale business in Charlottetown. He formed The W. H. Tidmarsh Foundation through his Will when he passed away in 1960.
Rotary Club of Charlottetown
W. Harry Tidmarsh is the Founding President of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown. He and three close friends; namely, W.A. Stewart, H.M. VanBuskirk, and Walter S. Grant held an organizational meeting in September 1917. The Rotary Club of Charlottetown was founded a month later. It was/is PEI’s first Rotary Club. W. H Tidmarsh served as its first President and remained active for 43 years. Today, PEI is home to four active rotary clubs located throughout the province and membership is open to everyone.
QEH Provincial Urology Service
QEH is home of the Provincial Urology Service performing approximately 900 surgeries per year. Common treatments include diagnosing and treating prostate, bladder and kidney cancers, bladder infections, kidney stones, and urinary tract issues. There are three QEH urologists including Dr. Daniel Costa, Dr. Michael Mulligan and Dr. Paul Hartman as well as a team of nurses and support staff.
New Urology Equipment
Thulium Laser – $160,000
We are pleased to soon welcome a new Thulium Laser to the QEH Operating Room. The Urology team is excited to have this latest technology in place that will be a game-changer for the Island’s provincial urology services. The new laser can break down kidney stones much quicker and can take on larger stones than the previous could. The new laser will be smaller, quieter, and portable.
Resectoscopes – $160,000
Instrument inserted through the urethra and by a urologist to cut out tissue usually from the prostate – this new equipment helps the physician exactly see where the tissue needs to be cut.
Optical Urethrotome $17,500
Optical urethrotome will help improve narrowing of the urethra using this special telescope through an endoscopic procedure. The QEH now has two of these devices and the third one will allow for more efficient use of OR time and allow for back-up equipment.
For more information:
Kathleen Murphy
Director, Communications
QEH Foundation
kxmurphy@ihis.org
902-894-2956