Thanks to visionary donor support, Royal University Hospital (RUH) has once again solidified its reputation as Saskatchewan’s leading centre for cardiac innovation. Last year’s introduction of a dedicated laparoscopic cardiac surgery stack has not only fulfilled its initial promise—it has exceeded expectations and redefined how heart care is delivered in our province.
Originally funded through a successful donor appeal, the stack was intended to support minimally invasive mitral valve surgery—a game-changing alternative to traditional open-heart procedures. The benefits for patients were immediate and profound: smaller incisions, reduced pain, faster recovery, and significantly shorter hospital stays. But what’s most exciting is how this single piece of equipment has sparked a wave of innovation, across the cardiac program, leading to better care for a wider range of patients.
Dr. Abbas Khani-Hanjani, Lead of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at RUH, explains that the stack is now in use for approximately 85–90% of cardiac surgeries performed at the hospital. “We initially envisioned it for mitral valve surgeries, but it’s revolutionized how we harvest veins for bypass procedures as well,” he says. Through a minimally invasive Endo Vein (Endoscopic Vein Harvesting or EVH) procedure, the surgical team can now retrieve veins via a tiny incision near the knee, replacing what used to be a two-foot-long incision along the leg.
The results? Lower risk of infection, better outcomes, and grateful patients.
This pioneering approach makes RUH the only hospital in Saskatchewan performing these advanced techniques, placing it on par with—and in some cases, ahead of—larger centres across the country. “We are delivering care here that rivals what’s offered in pioneering cardiac centres in Canada,” says Dr. Hanjani. “Our patients, particularly those from Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan, no longer need to travel far for cutting-edge cardiac surgery.”
He adds that this level of innovation not only benefits patients—it inspires care teams. “Surgeons want to work where innovation is happening and they see their patients thriving,” Dr. Hanjani says. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about seeing better recoveries, fewer complications, and knowing you’re making a meaningful impact. That’s what keeps surgeons here—and that’s why advanced tools like the cardiac stack aren’t just helpful, they’re essential to building a program that attracts and retains top talent.” This evolution in care has been made possible in part thanks to the early leadership of Dr. Mohamad Saaid Burhani, who strongly advocated for the adoption of minimally invasive cardiac techniques to improve patient outcomes and elevate the standard of care at RUH.
The dedicated stack, made possible in part by a generous $100,000 donation from the Kinsmen Foundation and a $75,000 gift from Robert and Sandra Stromberg, has become a cornerstone of RUH’s evolving cardiac program. Its daily use is transforming care for patients.
“None of this would be possible without our donors,” Dr. Hanjani says. “Your gifts are changing lives every single day. You’ve helped make RUH a leader in minimally invasive cardiac surgery—and we’re just getting started.”
Read the full 2024–2025 Annual Gratitude Report.
