St. Joseph Health Centre:Annual Report

In addition to funding an essential part of our community, your donations also inspire others to join us in supporting the outstanding work of our healthcare teams.

The Year Ahead

The Foundation looks forward to continuing to support the Health Centre’s key priorities of creating new and revitalized healing environments for our patients, our employees and our communities. Having completed the Medicine and Beyond Campaign last year, the Foundation’s main focus for fundraising is the replacement of the Our Lady of Mercy (OLM) building. The new OLM wing of the Health Centre will allow us to continue to deliver superior patient care. The new wing will offer expanded service and facility capacity, and state-of-the-art space that is family-focused. The OLM wing is expected to be fully operational by 2011.

The Foundation is extremely pleased to welcome a new President this year, Amelia Canto Ellis. Amelia brings over 20 years of fundraising experience in healthcare and education and will lead the Foundation as it continues to work with our community partners.

We also proudly welcomed Kathleen O’Neill as Chair of the Board in April of 2007. Prior to joining the Foundation Board, she served on the St. Joseph’s Health Centre (Toronto) Board of Directors from 1995-2004 and was Chair from 2001-2003.

We value the opportunity to work with such dynamic leaders as we reach out and partner with our proud and supportive community.

The Foundation benefited from several fantastic events this past year. We had our 5th annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament at Copper Creek Golf Club which was sold out as usual and raised over $100,000. In addition to this, there were two events arranged by members of our caring community. The Knights of Columbus hosted their annual Mardi Gras event, which was a wonderful success, and the Lori’s Legacy Committee held their 8th annual Lori’s Walkathon which was bigger than ever. We are very grateful for these volunteer efforts. They have made such a difference to St. Joseph’s Health Centre and we will continue to work with our community partners in planning these events.

We would like to recognize four members of our Board of Directors who completed their service this year: Doug Swarthout, Ray Protti, Robb Chase and Victor Dodig. And, the Foundation would like to extend special thanks to Len Gamache, who stepped down as Foundation President in December, 2007.

Thank you to everyone who got involved and contributed to the Health Centre. In addition to funding an essential part of our community, you also inspire others to join us in supporting the outstanding work of our healthcare teams.

Community support and generosity has enabled the purchase of new equipment and expansion of facilities that help us achieve our Vision. We invite you to visit our donor recognition area in the Melnyk Pavilion, which is the Health Centre’s new main entrance. Every one of our supporters is listed in the computer kiosk. The Donor Wall also recognizes gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.

To find out how you can get involved, we invite you to visit the Foundation’s new website, www.foundation.stjoe.on.ca . In addition to finding out how we can work together, there is an opportunity to donate online, which is secure and easy. We look forward to your continued support of St. Joseph’s Health Centre, as it achieves its Vision.

Nelson C. Patterson, C.G.A.: How He Made a Difference

It started with a shoulder problem. Then it escalated to a rotator cuff problem. By May 2007, Mr. Patterson was scheduled for surgery at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

The care provided throughout his treatment left him feeling better and he was greatly impressed by what he described as the professionalism, efficiency and teamwork of the medical and nursing groups.

“It was the cheerful attitudes and sincere caring that had a meaningful and lasting effect.”

Mr. Patterson was so impressed that he wanted to show his appreciation by making a donation. “Even though the nurses in the short-stay unit were very busy, they never missed a thing. I wondered during the night how I could help ease their load even slightly,” said Mr. Patterson.

“I decided to donate funds for a new hospital bed which is ‘labour light’ for the staff and so comfortable for the patient. I felt it was the least I could do!”

Mr. & Mrs. Patterson spent a lot of time in the Outpatient Rehabilitation Unit following his surgery, where he met Gina who assisted him throughout his treatment.

“Gina was tremendous. She would take care of me, and then go and chat with my wife.”

Mr. Patterson also generously donated a new ultrasound machine for the Outpatient Rehabilitation Unit.