JOY'S JOURNAL
/by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)
Lions Gate Hospital’s Judy Savage and Dr. justin lee.
CHECKING OUT THE NEW TOOLS
A couple of weeks ago I received a call from Lions Gate Hospital's president and CEO Judy Savage. Judy is such a familiar sight at LGH as she's been there for 24 years with no intention of ever leaving. She loves her job. I thought she was calling to invite me to the hospital's annual fund raising gala.
But no, she was calling to invite me to come to the hospital to witness something very special and warned that I would be wearing a different outfit, not my usual gala gala do gown. So there I was changing into the hospital's cap and gown to go to witness this amazing new machine.
It was the introduction of the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System where surgeons like Dr. Justin Lee, head of urology and the department of surgery at LGH, can perform procedures for prostate removal, bowel, rectal and kidney cancers, hysterectomies and complex hernias.
Dr. Nava Aslani sat at a nearby console looking through the viewer and using foot pedals to control a camera trained on the patient.
As Dr. Lee explained, with her thumb and middle finger placed in the console, Dr. Aslani's hand movements control four robotic arms that make critical precise movements while working on the patient. It was a very strange feeling when I was invited to sit at the console to actually try out the robotic arms.
TWEJ’s joy metcalfe ready to check your kidneys (just kidding!)
The robot is also equipped with a dual console to allow surgeons-in-training to observe while more seniors surgeons use the ultra new machine.
“The benefit for the patient,” said Dr. Lee, “is smaller incisions, less blood loss, less pain and less time in hospital.” And Amen to that.
The surgical system was purchased for $5.5 million through the Lions Gate Foundation late last year. They also have a contest going on to name their new robot... How about “Mister”?....
NEW BOSS AT THE HOTEL VANCOUVER
And A New Lounge
cole millen is the new boss at the fairmont’s hotel vancouver.
Speaking of “something new”, Vancouver has a new boss at the city's “Castle in the City”, Fairmont's stately Hotel Vancouver. He is Cole Millen, who was born in Edmonton and raised in B.C. and is definitely a West Coaster. He comes with a strong foundation in hospitality leadership. As G.M at Fairmont's Hotel Macdonald, he led a service and elevator initiative that earned the hotel its first Michelin One Key and first Conde Nast Reader's Choice Award. Previous to his sailing across the water, Cole played a key role in the planning and executing of a three-year $60 million renovation of Victoria's spectacular Empress Hotel, which holds a special place in Canada's hospitality landscape.
I love The Empress, with its enduring elegance and charm and vibrant lifestyle ...
Not only does the Hotel Van have a new boss, they also have a brand new lounge downstairs. It's called Hibiki, a new 40-seater offering a dark, romantic setting with lots of red leather touches, delicious snacks (the chicken pieces were cooked to perfection) soft listening music and an intimate setting.
In fact, they stressed that Hibiki was a “cocktail listening lounge” so guests could just sip, munch and totally relax.
Well, I suspect that someone forgot to tell the fellow running the music machine. It was not a quiet, peaceful place for lovers but wonderful for the young enthusiastic guys who preferred the vast vodka menu's offerings and the very loud accompanying tunes ...
And kudos too to Fairmont's Pacific Rim Hotel and Spa who have earned the Five Star Recognition Award in Forbes Travel Guide for 2026. It's the fourth consecutive time that Pac Rim and Spa have been so recognized...
Sue Daugulis, global planning solutions
A NEW NAME FOR VENUE WEST
Congratulations to Sue Daugulis, a dedicated business woman who has been and still is in the business of planning and booking hotels for multi conventions in Vancouver.
The late Betty Fata was famed for her Venue West company which oversaw everything that would make a conventioneer happy. And when Betty spoke, everybody jumped. She was a great communicator along with her right-hand person, Lou Cox.
After Betty passed, the business was sold to sprightly Daugulis, who had formerly worked at Venue West. A couple of weeks ago, Sue invited a myriad of guests to the Terminal City Club to celebrate Venue West's official 55th year in business and announce a change to the company's name. It's now called Global Planning Solutions.
It's too bad that Lou Cox couldn't be there but that very day she’d fallen and broken her leg while Sue, hosting her big do, was anxiously waiting for the phone to ring with news of the birth of her first grandchild...
connie cocchia celebrating with her dad sergio.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SERGIO!
The event of the week was quite amazing. It was a testament of pure love and affection for one of Vancouver's super gentlemen and was held at the charming and busy Century Plaza Hotel on Burrard last week as the charismatic co-owner, Sergio Cocchia, was celebrated on his 65th birthday with a gigantic surprise party.
I should have said “His Honour” as he is married to the talented Her Honour Wendy Cocchia, B.C.'s Lieutenant Governor.
It was a jam-packed event with every Liberal in town attending. They probably should have painted the hotel's front door red. It was Liberal Central, especially when someone rumored that the P.M. was in town and just might drop in. It never happened.
RCMP Staff SGT. Major David Douangchanh and Vancouver Green’s mayoral hopeful pete fry.
Spotted among the huge crowd was always cheerful Allan De Genova who is the Honorary Lieut. Col. of the Royal Canadian Artillery (love your gold card, Al); Lorne and lovely Melita Segal of Kingswood Properties; the Green Party of Vancouver’s Pete Fry, who hopes to become Mayor of Vancouver this year but desperately needs a wardrobe update; Chek TV's glamorous Carol Taylor with her red-streaked hair, red glasses and red jacket; Staff Sgt. Major David Douangchanh of the Burnaby RCMP Detachment; Colin Metcalfe, senior advisor at Wellington Advocacy and currently campaign manager for Linda Annis who is aiming to become Surrey's mayor; Global TV's noon anchor Coleen Christie; Wendy and Mel Zajac who founded the vitally important Zajac Ranch for Kids out in the Valley, and just so many more happy friends of the Man of the Moment...
AN ICONIC CHARITY TURNS 60
The following evening it was the fund raising, sold out dinner party for Variety, the Children's Charity, at the revered Wedgewood Hotel, celebrating Variety's 60th anniversary and a surprising and much appreciated gift.
Global TV's Chris Gailus was emcee and Rich Ilich, on behalf of the Milan and Maureen Ilich Foundation, was guest speaker.
"For 60 years, our family has stood with Variety because they have seen how the right support at the right time can change the course of a child's life. Early intervention removes barriers, strengthens a child's sense of self worth and helps prevent the isolation that can follow them into adolescence and adulthood.
“We invite our community to stand with us to ensure that children with disabilities and complex health needs receive timely support, feel a true sense of belonging and have a chance to thrive.”
With that, the Milan and Maureen Ilich Foundation became the leading contributor to the 60th Show of Hearts campaign with a transformative commitment of $1 million dollars.
Variety President Bianca Zanatta was happily surprised and deeply grateful.
Happy 60th anniversary, Variety!!...
IT’S COCKTAIL WEEK!
And More News To Come …
Don't forget that the 5th annual Vancouver Cocktail Week opens Sunday March 1 and runs throughout the week with bartenders of the world attending.
Next month we'll check out the Hibiki Lounge again, interesting doings at The Penthouse, Fred Lee's Roast results, and see how Shania Twain does out in Ladner ...
Get ready, it's almost Spring!!... love, Joy
