By: Allison Currie
The Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, Dartmouth General Hospital, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation and the Orchid Women’s Health Initiative (Orchid Gala) have teamed up to transform pelvic health care in Nova Scotia.
A new pelvic health suite has been created at the Dartmouth General Hospital and named in memory of Deanne Reeve, who tragically passed away from cervical cancer. The idea to raise funds for this groundbreaking initiative was first sparked by her close friends, Liz Rigney and Sheri Morgan of the Orchid Gala, with the goal of advancing women’s health in Nova Scotia.
The Health Innovation Hub, a space where primary care providers, researchers, and healthcare innovators collaborate to quickly tackle some of the biggest challenges in the healthcare system, was eager to support bringing this exciting idea to life.
"The Health Innovation Hub is thrilled to have supported this transformative initiative," says Doris Grant, Managing Director of the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia. "From the moment Dr. Mawdsley reached out to us, we were excited by the ambition of this project and its potential to drive both patient impact and system efficiencies through innovation. The Deanne Reeve Pelvic Health Suite is a testament to what’s possible when partnership is at the core—many thanks to the incredible 'Vagina Ladies,' Dartmouth General Hospital, and the generous donors who made this a reality. We were also proud to contribute through our innovation challenge, which helped spark new ideas and momentum around this important work. This is just the beginning—we’re excited to see how this suite will continue to transform care and what’s next for pelvic health innovation in Nova Scotia."
Following the creation of a comprehensive business case, the Health Innovation Hub secured $6.7 million over five years to provide ongoing operational funding. And, in collaboration with clinical teams at Dartmouth General Hospital, also helped identify the necessary budgetary requirements for the suite.
After much dedication and collaboration, the Deanne Reeve Pelvic Health Suite officially opened its doors with a reception at Dartmouth General Hospital’s outpatient center on February 25, 2025.
Spanning 1,750 square feet, it brings together a multidisciplinary team of gynecologists, urologists, pelvic floor therapists and other specialists. This comprehensive approach aims to deliver preventative care and treatment that leads to faster diagnosis, quicker treatment and better patient outcomes and quality of life.
The new suite will significantly increase capacity for gynecological and urology procedures, quadrupling the volume of gynecology procedures and more than doubling urology capacity. It will also free up much-needed time in both the endoscopy and operating rooms.
"Recognizing the growing need for expert care in pelvic health in Nova Scotia, our new clinic offers advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive treatments and holistic care tailored to each patient’s needs,” says Sharon Ryan, Staff Nurse, Pelvic Health Suite at the Dartmouth General Hospital. “The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada to provide conscious sedation for minimally invasive gynecological procedures in an outpatient setting, the creation of the Pelvic Health Suite will help shorten wait times, provide preventative care and optimize operating room availability for other patients."
Under the direction of Dr. Scott Mawdsley, Chief of Surgery at Dartmouth General, and Urologist Dr. Jon Duplisea, this will become the primary location for cystoscopy, hysteroscopy and other pelvic health procedures.
The investment in cutting-edge technology and expert care is a top priority for the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation, ensuring that the dedicated professionals at Dartmouth General Hospital have the tools they need to continue providing exceptional care.
“To have a space like this become a reality is the result of collaboration. Having the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, government and like-minded, big-hearted change-making donors working through the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation to fund the new and innovative initiatives”, says Stephen Harding, President & CEO, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. “Donors such as Steele Auto Group, J & W Murphy Foundation, Dorothy & Dan Gibson, Brien Family Foundation, CIBC, Mark & Teri Sherman and the Bowser Family all contributed. Yet the Orchid Women’s Health Initiative (Orchid Gala) co-founded by Deanne Reeve’s close friends Sheri Morgan and Liz Rigney brought a group of friends, family and change makers together to ensure that Deanne, a treasured friend who passed away far too early due to cervical cancer in 2020, would never be forgotten and that her death would bring light, love and leading-edge care to others.”
This initiative is a perfect example of what can be achieved through collaboration. This purpose-built space creates a new model of care that will reduce wait times, increase access to diagnostics and therapies, and ultimately improve patient experiences and outcomes.
