Surgical innovation at the hospital has always been rooted in a legacy of firsts. It was at the Royal Alex that Alberta’s first robotic surgery was performed, setting the tone for decades of advancement. In 2024, that legacy was marked by the renaming of the hospital’s surgical family waiting area to the Dr. Eric P. Estey Family O.R. Waiting Room, in honour of a trailblazer who helped shape surgical practice and care at the Royal Alex.

Progress was also evident in the successful completion of fundraising for the MOSES 2.0 Laser, a major step forward for the hospital’s urology program. Fully funded this year, the new system is set to arrive on site and will offer minimally invasive, high-precision treatment for kidney stones and prostate conditions—improving both outcomes and recovery times for patients across Alberta.

Surgical research also moved forward this year, particularly in the area of prostate cancer, with new studies led by Dr. Adam Kinnaird leveraging support from the Foundation. His work is helping redefine how and when prostate cancer is detected and treated, with the goal of delivering earlier, more personalized interventions.
The hospital’s commitment to care beyond the operating room was equally strong. In 2025, the Bridge Healing Program took a major step forward, breaking ground on two new buildings as part of a partnership with the City of Edmonton. Designed to support patients experiencing houselessness who—often repeatedly—seek care through emergency departments, Bridge Healing connects these patients with stable, transitional housing—closing a critical gap in the care system and helping to break the cycle of houselessness.

The program received $1.8 million in new funding from the Government of Alberta, recognizing its impact in reducing repeat visits and supporting long-term recovery. This progress was echoed in the community during Giving Tuesday, when the Staheli family contributed a $250,000 matching gift in support of Bridge Healing. Their donation, made in honour of their late son, Nathan, inspired more than $300,000 in giving during the campaign, helping turn a vision of housing and healing into a reality.

This is the legacy of care at the Royal Alexandra Hospital: built by leaders, strengthened by innovation, and sustained by a compassionate community of donors that believes in better health for everyone.

Thank you to all supporters who made this past year possible. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare—through every patient served, every program advanced, and every act of compassion that defines care at the Royal Alex.