$3M gift to transform emergency care for seniors through dedicated treatment space

The Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod at Calgary’s South Health Campus will be the first of its kind in Western Canada

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calgary Health Foundation is pleased to announce a major step toward creating a dedicated emergency space for senior patients. The Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod, made possible thanks to a significant $3 million contribution from Jay Westman, Diana Joseph, and the Westman Charitable Foundation, will be part of Calgary’s South Health Campus emergency department (ED). With their gift, the family is helping to bring Western Canada’s first dedicated geriatric emergency pod to Calgary, a space designed to transform emergency care for older adults.

“The Westman family’s vision and leadership in championing Calgary healthcare is commendable. Their generous gift will offer geriatric patients an emergency space designed for them, one that will improve their care experience and health prognosis and reduce adverse outcomes. In doing so, the Westman’s investment into tailored seniors’ care will ultimately help to return patients to their homes and their lives faster.” Paul Rossmann, President & Chief Executive Officer, Calgary Health Foundation

The Westman family's relationship with Calgary Health Foundation spans more than three decades. Since Jayman BUILT partnered with Calgary Health Foundation as their first lottery showhome builder, the family has continued to fund improvements in patient care across Calgary—philanthropy is woven into their family values.

When they learned about the seniors’ emergency pod, Westman and Joseph immediately recognized the difference it could make for Calgary’s growing aging population.   

"As soon as we learned about the project, we knew there was an immediate need for one in Calgary. Any time you go to a hospital, the majority of people you see there are older adults. Seniors deserve a certain quality of care and an understanding of their medical needs that is very different from the general population. The need is overwhelming, so our decision to support the project was very easy.” Diana Joseph, philanthropist and Calgary Health Foundation donor.

Beyond the urgent need for specialized seniors’ care, the family was also inspired by the project’s innovative approach. For a family committed to building communities for people of all ages, supporting a project that reimagines how seniors experience healthcare was a natural fit.

"When it comes to giving back, our family looks to where we can make the biggest difference. Healthcare has always been one of those areas. We also love innovation. With this project, we can combine both of those priorities. If there's anywhere healthcare can be done differently and better, it’s Calgary. With the seniors’ emergency pod project, we can address an area that can benefit from specialized attention and make it better for the people it serves. We can also lead by example and encourage others to do the same.” Jay Westman, Jayman BUILT Chairman & CEO, philanthropist, and long-time Calgary Health Foundation donor.

Once completed, the Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod will provide 15 dedicated care spaces for older adult patients, designed to better address their complex needs and risks during an ED visit. The tailored unit will improve patient comfort and safety, offer more space and privacy for patients and visitors, and be supported by a dedicated interdisciplinary team with expertise in caring for older adults. With Calgary’s growing, aging population, the need for ED spaces designed to accommodate the specific needs of seniors is unprecedented.

Specifically, the senior-friendly environment and the medical teams’ protocols and practices will be aimed at preventing, screening for, and managing delirium, a serious and sudden change in mental state that can occur in hospitalized older adults. In addition, the pod design will help to reduce the length of hospital stays, something that has been shown to have long-term adverse effects on seniors’ health.

“By developing an evidence-based seniors’ emergency pod at South Health Campus, we can address a growing need as our population ages. This dedicated space will help improve the experience and health outcomes of older adults visiting the emergency department. We are grateful for the expertise of our care teams and the strong support of our community, which together make initiatives like this possible.” Dr. Marge McGillivray, Geriatric Emergency Medicine Lead, Calgary Corridor

As of 2023, South Health Campus’ ED visits by people over 65 had increased by 47% since 2014. Calgary's four acute care hospitals have reported longer ED stays for patients over the age of 70 with a diagnosis of delirium and/or dementia. Moreover, research suggests that more time exposed to a traditional ED environment can lead to the development of delirium, increased mortality, and longer hospital stays. 

The Westman family's $3 million contribution marks an important step toward making the seniors’ emergency pod a reality and to helping establish a new model of care for older adults in Western Canada.

To join the Westman family and donate toward the Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod, or to give toward other innovative Calgary healthcare projects, contact Calgary Health Foundation at fundraising@calgaryhealthfoundation.ca or visit givehealth.ca/donate. 

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About the Westman family and the Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod

To learn more about the Westman family and why they chose to give toward Western Canada’s first seniors’ emergency pod, visit Calgary Health Foundation’s website.

About Calgary Health Foundation                                                                                                 

Calgary Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization raising funds to advance healthcare. Since 1996, donor generosity has fueled progress, transformed care, and shaped healthier futures. At Calgary Health Foundation we find opportunities to work with donors, medical specialists, community partners, and the public to invest in innovation across the entire healthcare system, all with the goal of offering patients quicker recoveries, improved health outcomes, and a better quality of life. givehealth.ca   

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• Jay Westman (left) and Diana Joseph of the Westman Charitable Foundation

Kimberley McNeil
Senior Communications Advisor  | Calgary Health Foundation
368-997-1131
kimberley.mcneil@calgaryhealthfoundation.ca