To address some of the greatest wait times in the country, Dartmouth General Hospital expanded its role in orthopedics by creating the Fred Smithers Centre for Orthopedic Care. This was made possible by an amazing gift from Fred Smithers O.C., to the Above and Beyond Campaign. Fred was the Honorary Chair of that campaign and continues to be an exceptional supporter of the Dartmouth General Hospital.

The Fred Smithers Centre for Orthopedic Care is helping to tackle wait times, and get people back to their lives sooner. Nova Scotia Health has reported that there has been “…almost 2,000 more surgeries this year compared to our pre-pandemic year and have taken more than 4,000 patients off the waitlist. Last year 1,193 outpatient hip and knee joint replacements were done, compared to 85 pre-pandemic. That’s an incredible increase.”

The innovation is not stopping! Dartmouth General Hospital is home to a new Mako SmartRobotics™ System. In November of 2022 Dr. Jennifer Leighton performed the first total hip replacement in Canada using this orthopedic robot, right here at Dartmouth General Hospital.

Thank you Fred Smithers for your commitment to the Dartmouth General and the community, and for being part of a solution to change the way orthopedic care is delivered in our province.

Dartmouth General Hospital Orthopedic Surgeons Dr. Richard Hurley (from left), Dr. Jennifer Leighton, Dr. David O’Brien, Dr. Doug LeGay, Dr. Duncan Smith, Dr. Brendan O’Neill and Dr. Nathan Urquhart

The Fred Smithers Cold Therapy Lending Program is the result of a generous gift by Fred Smithers to Dartmouth General Hospital, through it’s Foundation.

This program is another great addition to the Fred Smithers Centre for Orthopedic Care at the Dartmouth General, and especially important to Fred personally.

Following his own recent orthopedic surgery, Fred  benefitted from Cold Therapy and wants to ensure that others can have access to that same level of care – regardless of what their insurance covers.