Together, we’re embracing spring, the next era of donor-funded care and PRHC’s new CEO

PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway outside the hospital

Dear Friends,

Spring has long been a time for renewal – spring cleaning, the anticipation of summer weather and fun, and for green thumbs like me, all those spring showers that bring the garden flowers. But this year, spring has had an extra feeling of transition.

I’m speaking of the March retirement of Health Centre President & CEO, Dr. Peter McLaughlin, after 17 years with PRHC and a 50-year career in healthcare. On behalf of the Foundation, congratulations to Dr. McLaughlin. We thank him for his wonderful support of the PRHC Foundation and his exceptional service and dedication to healthcare. Under his leadership, your hospital became a truly regional centre that up to 600,000 people rely on for care.

I’m also pleased to welcome new PRHC President & CEO, Dr. Lynn Mikula. She’s a longtime supporter of the PRHC Foundation and I’ve had the pleasure of working with her throughout her time at the Health Centre.

In a recent email to hospital and Foundation staff, Dr. Mikula explained how honoured she is to take on the role of President & CEO. She also asked me to tell you how grateful she is for your support:

“I’ve always been struck by the way the people of this community and hospital rise to meet every challenge – especially in the last three years as everyone has supported us through difficult times. Thank you, donors!” she says. “I also want to thank Dr. McLaughlin for his thoughtful, steady, compassionate leadership. We’ve worked together to ensure a smooth transition at PRHC and I’m eager to continue building the future of healthcare here.”

Dr. Mikula and I look forward to continuing the robust partnership between the hospital and the Foundation. I’m glad to have a strong relationship with her and the hospital leadership team as our organizations work together to shape the future of healthcare for our region. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible donors and we’re grateful for your generosity.

Many of you are long term donors who over the years have helped us fund the vital technology PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff need to provide world-class care. Thank you! Many others have more recently stepped up to join us as the pandemic, health human resource issues and economy have challenged our hospital and others – as well as you, your loved ones and neighbours – like never before. Thank you and welcome!

Whether you’re a new or an old friend of the Foundation, I’m moved every day by your support and the impact of your donations on patient care. Because of you, we’re celebrating a year and a half of diagnostic imaging on two new, cutting-edge CT scanners. We’re celebrating a $3.55 million state-of-the-art upgrade to the Cardiac Cath Lab. And although we have fundraising left to do, we’re already amazed by your support of your hospital’s $6 million investment in life-changing interventional radiology.

Your generosity also makes me so hopeful for the future. Your donations will help PRHC continue to provide care to a growing number of patients in an aging population, with higher rates of disease and more complex conditions. They’ll fuel exciting innovations in areas like minimally invasive care, bring new services once available only in big city centres to our region, and in turn continue to attract the best and brightest healthcare experts to work at PRHC.

I hope you feel that optimism, too. We’re doing something powerful together. On behalf of the thousands of patients and families who are touched by it, thank you!

Have a healthy and safe season,
Lesley Heighway
President & CEO, PRHC Foundation

Happy Nursing Week!

Thank you, nurses, for being here for us when it matters most! On this National Nursing Week – and every week – we’re grateful for the outstanding care you provide to patients from all across our region. 

All year long we receive online comments as well as Grateful Heart tribute donations with notes of thanks full of appreciation for the expert, compassionate care you provide to your PRHC patients and their families. Those donations fund state-of-the-art technology, fuel innovation, bring new services to our region, and in turn help the hospital attract more colleagues to join you at PRHC. 

In celebration of Nursing Week, here’s a special video that includes a sample of the lovely Grateful Heart messages collected this year. 

 

Happy Doctors’ Day!

To all doctors, thank you for being here for us when it matters most! On this National Physicians’ Day – and every day – we’re grateful for the compassionate care you provide to patients from all across our region.

The expert work you do inspires donations in your honour to the PRHC Foundation to help you care for other patients. They fund state-of-the-art technology, fuel innovation, bring new services to our region, and in turn help the hospital attract more colleagues to join you at PRHC. Many donations include notes of appreciation that we love sharing with you all year long through the Foundation’s Grateful Heart tribute program.

In honour of Doctors’ Day, check out our video for a collection of some of the wonderful Grateful Heart messages received this year.

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie is back at PRHC May 1-7!

Get ready for Smile Cookie at a new time of year!

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie returns to the PRHC cafeteria Compass Canada Tim Hortons May 1-7 and we’re so grateful to be the charity of choice for this yummy event! 100% of proceeds from PRHC Compass Canada Tim Hortons Smile Cookie sales will be donated to help fund the equipment and technology used every day at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. 

Thanks to Retail Manager Warren Andrews and his team for all the work they do every year to make this fundraiser such a success and thanks to all the PRHC Smile Cookie fans for their support!

Celebrating National Volunteer Week April 16-22, 2023

From the bottom of our hearts comes a supersized thank you to all volunteers this week in celebration of National Volunteer Week 2023! It means so much to us – and your community – that you generously donate your time, energy and skills on top of your monetary donations in support of your regional hospital. Thank you!

Whether you’re one of PRHC’s Gift Shop volunteers or an office volunteer, whether you’re a Board of Directors or Board Committee member, whether you’re a volunteer with Campaign Council or the Allied Professional Advisory Council, whether you organize, participate in or help out at community events and fundraisers, whether you’ve shared your story as a Foundation ambassador or through a personal fundraising page – we want you to know how grateful we are! We couldn’t do what we do without your strength and support. Thank you for helping shape the future of healthcare in our region!

Cardiac Centre at PRHC named in recognition of $5 million donation made by James “Jim” Neill in 2021

On March 30, 2023 the Cardiac Centre at Peterborough Regional Health Centre was dedicated to philanthropist James “Jim” Neill, who donated $5 million in support of cardiac care at PRHC in 2021. Neill and his family and friends joined representatives from PRHC and the PRHC Foundation at the Health Centre on Thursday for the dedication event, which included the unveiling of new named signage in his honour on the exterior north-east corner of the hospital, recognizing the James B. Neill Cardiac Centre.

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New youth eating disorders day treatment program and clinic space at PRHC named in recognition of Scotiabank’s $250,000 pledge

Representatives of donor, Scotiabank, at the dedication of a hospital treatment space

We’re so pleased to announce that the new Youth Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program area at PRHC has been unveiled and dedicated to Scotiabank!

Scotiabank regional leaders were at the hospital for the dedication event celebrating the Bank’s $250,000 pledge to fund the essential treatment area for the program, which launched in December in response to devastating increases in demand. It will help fill the treatment gap between those who can be successfully treated in an out-patient setting, and those who need more supervised, acute treatment and support to avoid admission to hospital or a long-term residential program. It’s designed to support youth 12-25 years old who need lifesaving care to normalize their eating and restore weight.

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Hometown team-work results in $64,870 donation from Petes Pink in the Rink!

On Tuesday, March 21, Peterborough Petes representatives and the Petes Pink in the Rink Hockey Moms were at PRHC to donate $64,870! – proceeds from the recent Pink in the Rink fundraising efforts, merchandise sales, game and auction – in support of expert, compassionate cancer care at PRHC. These funds will help the cancer care team serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis, and ensure safer, more effective treatments for patients from across our region.

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