50 years of life-changing sexual rehabilitation at G.F. Strong
For people rebuilding their lives after injury or illness, sexual health and fertility can be an important part of recovery. Decades of specialized care have helped people reclaim possibilities once thought out of reach.
When Ed Bell sustained a life-altering injury, he was told that he would likely never have children. He and his wife, Nancy, had just celebrated their first anniversary and were looking forward to starting a family in their new home. But their story didn't end there.
Ed later became one of the first patients to participate in a pioneering procedure through the Sexual Health Rehabilitation Service at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. Just a few months later, Nancy learned she was pregnant. Their daughter, Shannon arrived in 1990, followed by Celina in 1994, two children they once feared might never be possible.
Stories like Ed’s reflect a legacy of innovation, compassion and partnership at G.F. Strong. Over the last 18 years alone, our team has cared for more than 6,500 clients and their partners. In collaboration with the Vancouver Sperm Retrieval Clinic, we have also helped bring more than 125 babies into the world, including Ed's children.
Over the last 18 years, the specialized team has cared for more than 6,500 clients and their partners.
Founded in 1975 by Dr. George Szasz, the Sexual Health Rehabilitation Service remains the only comprehensive sexual health and reproductive service of its kind in Canada. We provide confidential, respectful and culturally safe care, grounded in trauma‑informed practice. Our team supports clients with a wide range of sexual health concerns, from sexual function and fertility to relationships, self‑image, communication and the use of sexual aids. Every care plan is guided by the client’s own goals, abilities, values, beliefs and readiness.
Fifty years on, we continue to evolve to meet people’s needs. Most recently, we launching a new micro credential in Sexual Health Rehabilitation in partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology, funded by the Ministry of Post‑Secondary Education and Future Skills. Open to all health‑care professionals, the program reinforces sexual health as an essential part of overall well‑being and equips providers with the skills to better support their patients.
Dr. George Szasz and Dr. Stacy Elliott with the first baby born from the Sexual Health Rehabilitation Service partnership with the Vancouver Sperm Retrieval Clinic in 1990.
