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York Central staff raises money, dedicates wing to doctor with ALS

Regional News
Apr 17, 2008 10:24 AM

By: Michael Power, Staff Writer

During her 10-plus years at York Central Hospital, Heather Houston’s motto could have been four words: the busier the better.

Dr. Houston, an obstetrician and gynecologist, loved to deliver babies and likely had the largest practice among the 10 doctors who worked in the hospital’s department of obstetrics and gynecology, department’s chief Ford Luk said.

Happy and outgoing, Dr. Houston was dedicated enough to her vocation that she would take calls for other doctors who were unable to attend to them, Dr. Luk said.

“She always comes to work very happy,” he said. “She enjoys the work, she loves to deliver babies. She’s an excellent doctor.”

Dr. Houston was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) last year. Her condition forced her to stop delivering babies last June.

This week, the hospital publicly recognized her dedication. Dr. Houston’s colleagues and friends raised $50,000 in her honour and will dedicate a suite in the birthing centre to her.

April 15 marked the official unveiling of the Dr. Heather Houston Birthing Suite.

“She has such a large presence in our department that we feel we should have a room in our family birthing centre to honour her,” Dr. Luk said.

The contribution not only named the room in Dr. Houston’s honour, but also paid for much of the equipment and furnishings such as a bed, private ensuite bathroom with a whirlpool tub and the room’s home-like decor.

A plaque dedicated to Dr. Houston, unveiled during a ceremony April 15, also appears in front of the suite dedicated to her.

“We’d just like to remember her,” said Dr. Luk, who has worked at the hospital since 1975. “Not just for today, but on a permanent basis.”

http://www.georginaadvocate.com/News.../article/73187