PRHC is growing and evolving. At the heart of that growth are experienced professionals like Intensive Care Unit RN Emma Harris. Emma is playing a key role in creating a stronger, more connected workplace through the development of the Peer Support program. Watch episode 6 of Heart of Healthcare to learn more.
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On August 6, 2025, donors, community members and the media joined PRHC and the PRHC Foundation to celebrate the opening of the new Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Courtyard. This secure, purpose-built outdoor space is designed to support the recovery and well-being of some of the hospital’s most vulnerable mental health patients.
Made possible by donor generosity, the $1.5 million courtyard is more than a new physical space—it’s a symbol of compassion, community and progress. It’s also one of the early mental health priorities brought to life through the Campaign for PRHC.
“This is a transformative moment for mental health care at PRHC,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “The PICU Courtyard changes where and how patients heal. It will support PRHC’s healthcare team in delivering expert, compassionate care.”
Patients in the 6-bed PICU have never had access to the outdoors, even though hospital stays can last weeks or even months. “This secure, outdoor treatment space is not only safe and dignified—it’s healing,” says Jennifer Cox, PRHC’s Director of Mental Health & Addictions. “It allows our patients to engage in mindfulness, movement and connection with others and their environment in ways that improve outcomes and quality of care.”
The new outdoor space has already been recognized as a model for other Ontario hospitals. And the need for such innovation is clear: like hospitals across the country, PRHC has seen a staggering increase in patient volumes. In the last year alone, PRHC experienced more than 31,000 mental health patient visits.
“Thanks to donor support, PICU patients now have access to natural light and fresh air—factors that are proven to improve outcomes, reduce hospital stays, and decrease the need for medications like antidepressants,” says Sean Martin, Vice President of Clinical Services & Health Equity and Chief Quality Officer at PRHC.
The PICU Courtyard has been designed with outdoor therapy in mind, with input from mental health experts, PRHC staff, and the lived experience of volunteer community members. Every detail of the space was chosen with intention:
During the PICU Courtyard celebrations, Lesley also announced a $10 million expansion to the Campaign for PRHC.
“The hospital has brought forward some additional, extraordinarily visionary, future-focused projects,” she says. “These projects will fundamentally change the way patient care is delivered across all areas of care at PRHC. We’re ready to rise to the occasion once again and we know our incredibly generous community is ready, too.”
The Campaign for PRHC began with a $60 million dollar goal and is now a $70 million campaign. This increase will allow PRHC to move forward with cutting-edge initiatives that directly respond to the specific healthcare needs of our region. One of those bold, innovative projects is a digital command centre.
“It’s still in the early stages of planning,” says Sean. “Once complete, the command centre will be a behind-the-scenes hub that will use real-time data to streamline patient flow, reduce wait times, and improve access to care.”
“This is a bold, transformational project and we’re excited to say, yes, let’s support it,” says Lesley. “Let’s continue to reimagine health and care—just like donors have done through the PICU Courtyard.”
Pictured left to right: (back row) PRHC VP Finance & Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer Jen Taylor, PRHC Outpatient Mental Health Manager Miriam McCann, PRHC Mental Health & Addictions Chief & Medical Director Dr. Raj Basker, PRHC PICU Manager Dakota Forsyth, PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway; (front row) PRHC Director of Mental Health & Addictions Jennifer Cox, PRHC RN Erica Earl, PRHC RN Shayne Luangvisa.
By starting a fundraising page, I was able to give everyone an easy way to offer their support when they didn’t know what else to do and it allowed me to accept the help my network wanted to provide, knowing it would support other patients like me.
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On December 9, the Reactivation Care Centre opened its doors at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, providing patients with specialized care so they can return home safely. PRHC Foundation donors helped make this possible through $400,000 in funding.
The 12-bed Reactivation Care Centre is helping PRHC patients who no longer require acute care, navigate their next steps with a new treatment model. With a focus on seniors, the Centre supports patients through short-stay admissions, where each individual works towards specific goals so they can return home in safety and comfort.
“The Reactivation Care Unit is a pilot project, ensuring that every patient has access to specialized, restorative care to prepare them for a successful discharge from the hospital,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO of PRHC. “It’s also helping our hospital address the increasing demands of our growing and aging community in the region.”
At the heart of the Centre is a team of skilled professionals who provide personalized, comprehensive care, working closely with caregivers as essential partners in the recovery process. This team-based approach ensures that each patient’s unique needs are met—patients like Flo Cranley (pictured above), who expressed her thanks to donors for their support of the new facility and its equipment.
Another patient benefiting from the Reactivation Care Centre is Jeff Dumoulin (pictured). A 65-year-old horse trainer, Jeff was injured in an accident with one of his horses in 2022. The incident left him with long-lasting mobility challenges, leading to frequent stays in the hospital.
“I’ve been in and out of the hospital. Every time I return home, I end up falling and coming right back,” Jeff shares. “I was trying, but I needed more support.”
When Jeff found out that he had a spot in the new Reactivation Care Centre, he felt hopeful.
“The minute I walked in the door, the staff had a plan,” says Jeff. “This is the difference of whether I go home and can walk up and down my stairs again. Everyone in my life realizes I’m getting the help I need to get back to living a functional life.”
Stories like Jeff’s are made possible by the generosity of donors who understand the importance of world-class care, close to home. Thanks to their support, $400,000 in funding was provided to the Reactivation Care Centre through the PRHC Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC.
“One of the focus areas for the campaign is to address urgent needs at the hospital as they arise,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation. She explains that ‘undesignated’ gifts to the Foundation can be directed to the highest priority need, which enables a quick response to the hospital’s most pressing requests. “So it’s you, donors, who enabled us to fund critical equipment such as patient beds, vital signs monitors, and specialized wheelchairs for the Centre,” she says.
“With these gifts you’re empowering us to do what the hospital needs, quickly, when they need it. Your support is truly reimagining healthcare. Thank you!”
For more information or to donate, please call 705-876-5000 or click here.
As the number of cancer cases in our region continues to grow, so does the urgency for faster, more precise diagnoses and treatment plans.
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The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers are teaming up with the PRHC Foundation for the 2025 Major Series Lacrosse season! This collaboration brings together two legacy organizations in our region through a shared goal of supporting world-class care, close to home.
“The Lakers are all about community, and it doesn’t get more ‘community’ than supporting the doctors, nurses and staff at our regional hospital,” says Lakers board member Len Powers. “PRHC is where our families turn in moments of greatest need and the Lakers are excited to rally around the Campaign for PRHC and support our regional hospital.”
The Campaign for PRHC publicly launched in 2024 with $52.9 million raised to date. The goal is to help PRHC invest in state-of-the-art technology, bring new lifesaving services to our region, fuel innovation, and attract the best and brightest healthcare professionals.
Throughout the 2025 MSL season, PRHC Foundation team members and volunteers – the reImagineers – will be at Lakers home games, where fans can learn more about the campaign and how to get involved. The Lakers will be selling limited edition merchandise with proceeds from sales supporting the campaign.
The Lakers will also host a special PRHC Family Night on Thursday, June 26, when they welcome the Cobourg Kodiaks. PRHC staff will receive a promo code to purchase tickets at a discounted price. The Lakeshow will wear special Canada Day themed jerseys for the game and these sweaters will be auctioned off after the match in support of the Campaign for PRHC.
“The Lakers are a championship organization with strong community ties,” says PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway. “Just like our regional hospital, they represent dedication, heart, and excellence. We know how strongly this community rallies around the Lakeshow and PRHC, so together, we can help reimagine healthcare in our region.”
More people are seeking mental health care than ever before, with waitlists at Peterborough Regional Health Centre growing. To meet that increasing need and support the higher standard of care expected today in mental health spaces built more than 16 years ago, it’s crucial to make changes now so patients receive the best care possible.
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In 2024, PRHC introduced exciting, new donor-funded technology for breast cancer patients called breast seed localization. As PRHC general surgeon Dr. Brie Banks explained at the Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival donation presentation in June, the technology is already making an impact on care.
Essentially, breast seed localization is a tiny radioactive seed, about the size of a grain of rice, placed directly at the site of a patient’s tumour. It helps surgeons locate the tumour more precisely during surgery.
This process is a big improvement from older methods, which were less comfortable, more invasive and stressful for patients. And the best part? Because of this donor-funded advancement, PRHC can perform more breast cancer surgeries every day. That means more patients are getting the care they need, faster.
“Having breast seed at PRHC has dramatically increased access to state-of-the-art surgery for breast cancer patients. Not only are we able to look after more patients in the day, but the process is much less difficult for them. Seed localization is more comfortable and convenient,” says Dr. Banks. “I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the donors who made this advancement possible.”
On October 9th, the PRHC Foundation proudly hosted this year’s Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival gift announcement. Together, the Festival’s host team, Survivors Abreast, the Dragon Boat Festival Planning Committee, Platinum Sponsor Kawartha Credit Union, paddlers, volunteers, and supporters, presented the Foundation with a record-breaking donation of $312,025.18 – the largest single gift in the Festival’s history!
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