Saint John Regional Hospital advances surgical care with $10.9-million fundraising campaign

Saint John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick is moving forward with two major surgical technology initiatives following the successful completion of a $10.9-million fundraising campaign.

The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation announced November 2 that its Working Wonders Campaign for Surgical Excellence had exceeded its $10.5-million target.

The funding will support the development of Atlantic Canada’s first cardiac-enabled hybrid operating room and one of Canada’s first spinal robotic surgery programs.

The investments are intended to expand access to specialized surgical services and help more patients receive advanced care closer to home.

Advancing spinal surgery

One of the campaign’s major priorities is establishing a robotic spinal surgery program at Saint John Regional Hospital.

The technology is designed to support surgeons during complex spinal procedures by assisting with surgical planning and instrument positioning.

According to the foundation, the investment is already supporting the hospital’s spinal surgery services.

The program also creates opportunities for surgical education and recruitment, helping strengthen the hospital’s capacity to deliver specialized care.

New hybrid operating room planned

The second major investment involves construction of a cardiac-enabled hybrid operating room.

A hybrid operating room combines the capabilities of a conventional surgical suite with advanced medical imaging technology, allowing teams to perform procedures that may require both surgical and image-guided techniques.

Construction is underway, with the facility expected to open in 2028.

The planned operating room will support the continued development of specialized cardiac services at the hospital.

Community support driving healthcare innovation

The fundraising campaign brought together donors, volunteers and community partners to support the hospital’s surgical modernization efforts.

The $10.9 million raised exceeded the foundation’s original target by approximately $400,000.

Horizon Health Network President and CEO Margaret Melanson welcomed the investments, noting that spinal robotics is already contributing to surgical care while construction progresses on the hybrid operating room.

The initiatives reflect the importance of collaboration between hospital leadership, healthcare professionals and community foundations in supporting major equipment and infrastructure investments.

For New Brunswick patients, the projects represent a significant commitment to expanding specialized surgical capabilities within the province.

The investments also illustrate how Canadian hospitals are incorporating advanced surgical technologies while planning for future clinical needs.

Although the new hybrid operating room remains under construction, the completed fundraising campaign establishes an important milestone in the hospital’s long-term surgical development.

Source: Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation — Working Wonders Campaign announcement.

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