The Victoria Hospital Foundation’s (VHF) upcoming Doctor’s Gala is set to honour the “community’s longtime pediatric and obstetric team.”
According to a VHF news release, Drs. Lalita Malhotra and the late Talik Malhotra were the first maternal care and pediatric physician team in northern Saskatchewan. Talik, who came to Prince Albert in 1975 and passed away in 2017, became the first and only pediatrician in the community for nearly two decades.
The pair delivered and cared for newborns and their mothers for almost 42 years, which Lalita continues to do today.
“Their impact on young families has been particularly important with the First Nations communities throughout those years, where Lalita was bestowed the nickname ‘Angel of the North’ by northern families and leaders,” read the release.
Almost a year ago, in February 2019, Lalita’s family donated $800,000 to the VHF in honour of Talik, completing its $2.2 million goal to expand the hospital’s neonatal unit.
“The staff has been my family all my life. You can imagine after my husband passed away, how much support I had from the staff,” said Lalita at the time. “Maternity…has been a part of my life and it will always be a part of my life.”
In September, when work began to expand the neonatal unit, she was moved to tears remembering Talik.
“It was my husband’s dream,” she said.
“He used to fly babies up to Edmonton so many times. He would say ‘If we had the unit here, I could do all of this here.’ It had been there for many years in our hearts. I’m so glad. I’m sure he’s smiling.”
The fifth annual gala is scheduled for Apr. 18 at Plaza 88. It aims to bring together medical professionals and raise funds for the Victoria Hospital.
The Car Guys of Mann Northway GMC are the new presenting title sponsor, with Riverpark Funeral Home sponsoring the entertainment—performances by dancers with the Hindu Society of Saskatchewan and the local band Rewind.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Tickets go on sale Jan. 15, costing $150 each or $1200 for a table of eight. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and entertainment to follow.
