Inauguration of the new Coutu family pavilion

Outstanding contributions of the Coutu family over the years praised by Sainte-Justine and the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation

MONTREAL, May 29, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - On May 24, the Coutu family were honoured at the official opening of a pavilion bearing their name in the CHU Sainte-Justine's new Specialized Care Building. During a private, low-key event, the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation expressed its deep gratitude for the special ties that have been forged with the family over the span of many years and for their outstanding contributions that have enabled Sainte-Justine to keep developing better ways to heal more children. The event also served as an eloquent tribute to the legacy of Dr. Lucien Coutu, father of the esteemed pharmacist Jean Coutu and one of Sainte-Justine's first pediatricians. Dr. Coutu was a great humanitarian who firmly believed in the fundamental value and importance of duty.

"Through their commitment to Sainte-Justine, three generations of the Coutu family have shown an exceptional level of generosity. Their pledge to reaching out and giving back to the mothers-to-be and children of Quebec is nothing short of remarkable," said Ms. Maud Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CHU Sainte‑Justine Foundation. "Our goal from a philanthropic point of view is to make donors feel like they are special part of our community," she added. "This could not be any truer than it is today. The Coutu family have always been on the front lines, helping Sainte-Justine grow in leaps and bounds. They have been by our sides since day one, doing what they can to ensure the hospital develops and thrives. It is therefore a genuine honour to see one of our pavilions named after them."

For Dr. Fabrice Brunet, President and Chief Executive Officer of CHU Sainte-Justine, this unveiling marks an important milestone in Sainte-Justine's history. "From the very beginning, our hospital has been dedicated to the practice of modern medicine and scientific progress. The Coutu family's unwavering humanitarian commitment and sense of solidarity with the children and families of Sainte-Justine have been instrumental in acquiring the facilities needed to excel and innovate in healthcare and thus meet the needs of mothers-to-be and children across the province in every aspect of our mission."

Ms. Marie-Josée Coutu pointed out that at the root of the family's hopes and dreams is a desire to change the lives of generations of Quebec families. "In the choices we make as a society, we can do our part and do it generously. For us, family is the most important thing in life. Finding ways to treat and heal more and more children is vital," Coutu said. "It is a joy to have everyone gather together in a place that feels like home to us. Sainte‑Justine gets that families are an integral part of an efficient, adapted approach to healthcare. We are therefore incredibly proud to leave a lasting legacy here and, in so doing, provide our kids with a healthier tomorrow."

Through their work with Sainte-Justine, the Coutu family have continued to push the philanthropic envelope to make a real and lasting difference for expectant mothers and children in Quebec. They have striven tirelessly to create an environment that rivals the world's leading pediatric institutions and paves the way to new approaches designed to create a community focused on the ongoing improvement of public health.

About the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation
The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation's mission is to engage the community and support the CHU Sainte-Justine in its pursuit of excellence and its commitment to providing children and mothers with one of the highest levels of healthcare in the world, now and in the future. fondation-sainte-justine.org/en/

About the CHU Sainte-Justine
The Sainte-Justine university hospital centre (CHU Sainte-Justine) is the largest mother-child centre in Canada and the second largest pediatric hospital in North America. A member of the Université de Montréal extended network of excellence in health (RUIS), Sainte-Justine has 5,457 employees, including 1,532 nurses and nursing assistants; 1,000 other healthcare professionals; 520 physicians, dentists and pharmacists; 822 residents and over 204 researchers; 411 volunteers; and 4,416 interns and students in a wide range of disciplines. Sainte-Justine has 484 beds, including 67 at the Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant (CRME), the only exclusively pediatric rehabilitation centre in Quebec. The World Health Organization has recognized CHU Sainte-Justine as a "health promoting hospital." chusj.org

SOURCE CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation

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