A Community Lifeline

Early one spring morning, Burnaby resident Chris Evans began experiencing a sharp, relentless pain on the left side of his abdomen accompanied by a searing pain in his foot. As the hours passed, the pain intensified, becoming unbearable. He mustered the strength to drive himself to Burnaby Hospital, his community’s trusted hospital.

Upon arrival, Chris was greeted by the compassion and swift action of hospital staff. After a quick triage, staff began a series of tests to identify the source of his pain. “I was very happy to have been seen so quickly,” Chris recalls. However, the kindness and care extended far beyond the immediate attention he received. Every department he visited demonstrated a remarkable level of dedication and collaboration.

“I am familiar with hospitals and understand how busy they can be,” Chris says. “I was impressed with the teamwork that was displayed.”

The efficiency and empathy of the staff made a lasting impression. That night, after hours of meticulous care and thorough testing, Chris was discharged with instructions to return for further diagnostic tests and IV therapy. Later that week, he received a diagnosis: a benign lipid-rich left adrenal adenoma. While the diagnosis was a relief, it also emphasized the seriousness of his initial symptoms. Chris felt incredibly fortunate to have been in the hands of Burnaby Hospital’s medical staff.

Chris is a husband and father of two who lives in the community. He was already aware of the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment and looked forward to the improvements, but now, having experienced the exceptional care firsthand, he feels a deeper connection to the hospital and its future. “The expansion to the Emergency Department will make a huge difference. Patients having access to a dedicated CT scanner and X-ray machine in the department will avoid a lot of unnecessary and stressful back-and-forth,” he explains. The redevelopment project promises enhanced services and an even higher standard of care.

In moments of crisis, it’s vital to have a dependable hospital nearby. Burnaby Hospital continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing excellent care and supporting the well-being of its community, one patient at a time.