Page 20 - UHF_HereMagazine2025_21447

The margin of error in brain surgery is incredibly
small. In some procedures, he’s working in spaces that
are less than one millimetre — the size of a grain of
sand. That’s why many of the surgeries he performs
require high-powered microscopes. Equipping the
operating room with these powerful microscopes
requires funding.
That’s where Harold Roozen came in. After selling
his immensely successful CCI Thermal Technologies
in 2018, Roozen decided to make philanthropy
an even bigger part of his life. By donating nearly
$5 million to the University Hospital Foundation
in support of neurology and neurosurgery at the
University of Alberta Hospital, he is helping to
improve the delivery of care for people living with
chronic brain conditions across Alberta.
Roozen’s generous donation is making a difference in
many ways — including the purchase of two state-of-
the-art Zeiss microscopes to help skilled neurosurgeons
like Dr. O’Kelly perform life-saving surgeries.
“These new Zeiss microscopes have a lot of
advanced features. The light is better, it’s easier to
focus and the optics are quite amazing. They are far
superior to the previous ones we’ve been working
with,” says Dr. O’Kelly.
“THE FASTER YOU CAN
GET THROUGH THE
SURGERY, THE BETTER
IT IS FOR THE PATIENT.”
— Dr. O’Kelly
There are many technological
advancements in the new microscopes that
make them more effective in the operating
room. This includes built-in robotics so
surgeons can make subtle movements of the
microscope to pan, arc, focus or zoom in.
These adjustments can be controlled with
a handpiece, foot pedal or mouthpiece.
Dr. O’Kelly usually uses the foot pedal,
which allows him to keep his hands in the
operating field and minimize the number
of movements he makes — a critical
20 HERE. 2 0 2 5