Emergency Department Simulation Mannequin

Emergency Department Simulation Mannequin

Donate Today

Contact Us

If you want to learn more about this priority or would like to discuss how to support it, please contact us at 705-876-5000.

Helping PRHC emergency teams stay ready for you and your loved ones

As a Level III Trauma Centre serving more than 600,000 people across Peterborough and the surrounding region, PRHC’s Emergency Department (ED) cares for some of the area’s sickest and most critically injured patients.

When an ill or injured patient arrives at the ED, there isn’t time to hesitate. Emergency teams have to make lifesaving decisions under pressure. Whether it’s a severe allergic reaction, a traumatic injury after a serious accident, or a senior whose fall suddenly becomes life threatening, preparation beyond a healthcare provider’s own medical training matters. Simulation training, where team members work together through a mock scenario, has become essential to emergency care.

Every month, ED doctors, residents, nurses, students, respiratory therapists and partners such as EMS are led through a detailed simulation of a patient care situation. Using a specialized mannequin designed to mimic a patient, everyone participates in the training scenario as they would in real life. Then they review what went well and identify opportunities for improvement.

But the mannequin at the heart of training is more than a decade old, limiting the realism and effectiveness of simulation. New simulation mannequins feature advanced technology and better reflect the realities of modern emergency medicine. They can blink, breathe, bleed, speak, defibrillate, take injections into bones, veins and muscles, and respond to treatments in real time. All of these options create a more immersive learning experience. The more immersive and realistic the training, the more it stays with doctors, nurses and staff when every second counts.

You can help!

You can make a donation online and select to direct your gift to the Campaign for PRHC, or for more information, please call 705-876-5000.

Simulation isn't just about training individuals, it's about improving the entire system before a real patient is affected. It allows healthcare professionals to learn together, practice together and build confidence before they're caring for someone's loved one in a real emergency. A new, state-of-the-art simulation mannequin would strengthen teamwork and better prepare our staff to care for our community.
Emily Philips
PRHC Clinical Nurse Educator

Learn About Our Other Current Giving Priorities

Pediatric Cancer Care Expansion
Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab
Mental Health Spaces
Digital Pathology

A legacy of caring: Margie and Bob Lightbody’s lasting gift to patient care

A newly dedicated space at Peterborough Regional Health Centre will stand as a lasting tribute to Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody, whose generosity will help support expert, compassionate care for patients and their families for generations to come.

Recently, PRHC Foundation was honoured to name the Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery area in memory of the couple and their philanthropy, including a special gift Margie made on behalf of her and Bob just before her passing in 2022. That donation fulfilled their wish to make one final, significant investment in the future of patient care in their community. It supported the state-of-the-art advancement of the IR facilities, where PRHC’s interventional radiology teams perform minimally invasive procedures to treat patients with conditions including stroke, cancer, organ failure, bleeding, and trauma, among others.

The Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery space is part of a $6 million investment in IR at PRHC, made possible entirely through donor support. The expansion included new cutting-edge imaging technology, the addition of a third IR suite, and the increased preparation and recovery area that now accommodates 14 patients instead of 10. The new, larger facilities and advanced equipment mean more patients can receive faster, more accurate lifesaving care from which they recover more quickly, with less pain and better outcomes. The suites are also paving the way for the future introduction of dramatic advances in patient care.

The Lightbodys’ support of IR reflected the couple’s vision for healthcare in our region, as well as their own healthcare experiences. Throughout their lives, Margie and Bob felt strongly that patients should be able to access world-class care close to home, surrounded by the comfort and support of loved ones. Bob passed away following a stroke in 2017, while Margie was once a cancer care patient.

“Margie and Bob believed deeply in giving back to the community they loved. Their generosity has made a lasting difference for thousands of patients and families,” says Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Margie and Bob’s philanthropy is a powerful reflection of lives dedicated to helping others. It will ensure future generations will benefit from leading-edge healthcare closer to home. We’re so grateful for the extraordinary legacy they have left our region.”

Margie dedicated nine years of volunteer leadership to the PRHC Foundation Board of Directors, including serving as Chair for the Foundation’s Closer to Care campaign in 2011, bringing cancer radiation therapy to PRHC for the first time. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and service, she was named a PRHC Foundation Governor Emeritus in 2020. She was an original member of Survivors Abreast, the host team of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival. Together, Margie and Bob also supported several areas of care at PRHC, including cancer and mental health. Their kindness, leadership and compassion continue to inspire everyone who knew them.

“Throughout our lives, our parents modelled the importance of giving back to our community,” say the couple’s daughters, Deb (Deborah) Keay and Dr. Tamara Lightbody. “Over the years, they generously gave their time, energy and resources to causes they believed would make a meaningful difference. They valued healthcare that could be provided close to home, so patients could be surrounded and supported by their families. We know they would be so honoured to have their names associated with a part of the hospital that can touch and improve many lives. The IR preparation and recovery area represents their own values of welcoming, comforting and caring, as well as gaining insight and sharing knowledge.”

Deb and Tamara attended the dedication celebration with their spouses and children. Hospital and PRHC Foundation representatives joined them to honour Margie and Bob’s enduring legacy of philanthropy, compassion and leadership.

“We’re especially pleased that all of their grandchildren could be here together to witness and appreciate the lasting impact of their grandparents’ example,” say Deb and Tamara. “Their legacy is reflected not only in what they gave to this community, but also in the values they instilled in our family. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Thank you to the Lightbody family. Your generosity is certainly helping to support care close to home in our region.

Photo: The Lightbody family celebrates the generosity of PRHC Foundation supporters Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody with the dedication of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s interventional radiology preparation and recovery space in their memory. The family was joined by hospital and Foundation representatives to celebrate Margie and Bob’s impact on patient care. From left to right are, Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, Interventional Radiologist at PRHC, Adam Keay, Rick Murdock, Ellie Murdock, Dr. Tamara Lightbody, Deb (Deborah) Keay, Tom Keay, Lucas Murdock, Sandy Keay, Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation, and Meghan Darwin, Director of Corporate Services, Diagnostic Imaging & Emergency Preparedness at PRHC.

BWXT Peterborough raises an incredible $100,000 for cancer care at PRHC

We are grateful to BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc.’s Peterborough team for their extraordinary generosity. Through the dedication and community spirit of their employees, BWXT Peterborough raised an incredible $100,000 in support of reimagining cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

This generosity will help PRHC invest in state-of-the-art cancer care technology like digital pathology.

Did you know?

PRHC’s pathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing cancer by examining tissue and blood samples. Traditionally, this work requires a microscope and physical slides. With digital pathology, pathologists can instead view high-resolution digital images on a computer monitor.

This advancement means:

  • Faster, more accurate diagnoses
  • Easier collaboration, with digital images securely shared and reviewed by specialists anywhere in the world
  • Greater efficiency, helping experts make timely decisions for patients and their families

Thank you BWXT for investing in the future of cancer care at PRHC. Your generosity is helping patients receive world-class care close to home, when it matters most.

District A3 and A16 Lions Clubs raise over $100,000 for pediatric cancer care

Lions Clubs from Districts A3 and A16 are celebrating a remarkable community achievement with the PRHC Foundation: 21 Clubs from across the two Districts, with an additional gift on behalf of each of those Districts, have collectively raised more than $100,000 in donations to the Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC. These funds will support the building of an expanded, purpose-built pediatric cancer clinic space at the hospital to meet the growing needs of young patients, close to home. With the Lions’ donation, the fundraising goal for this critical investment has now been met.

Thank you, Lions Districts A3 and A16 and the following Clubs for all your hard work and commitment to the Lions for Pediatric Cancer Care initiative!: Bobcaygeon District, Brighton, Campbellford, Chemung Lake, Bridgenorth & Ennismore District, Coboconk & District, East Peterborough, Fowlers Corners & District, Haliburton & District, Havelock, Keene, Kendal, Kinmount & District, Lakefield & District, Lakefield Village, Lindsay East & District, Marmora Crowe Valley, Millbrook & District, Norwood, Oakwood & District, Peterborough, and Stirling & District.

Together we thank on Giving Tuesday

December 3rd is Giving Tuesday—a global movement that started in 2012. It’s a day to encourage kindness, generosity, and doing good. Over the years, it’s grown into something incredible, inspiring millions of people around the world to give back and make a difference.

Here at the PRHC Foundation, we see the power of generosity every single day. From donations to volunteering to spreading the word about the $60 million Campaign for PRHC, our supporters never stop rallying around Peterborough Regional Health Centre. We can’t thank you enough for all the ways you’re helping us reimagine healthcare for the 600,000 people who rely on our regional hospital.

“Together, we’re shaping the future of healthcare and making a difference in people’s lives—right here at home,” says PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway. “Thank you for your kindness and for your continuous support.”

As we enter the holiday season, we’re celebrating the generosity of our community with a new initiative: the Sharing Tree.

The tree is traveling around Peterborough, stopping at local businesses and organizations, where people are invited to share their stories, memories, or words of thanks about PRHC by writing them on ornaments. It’s been amazing to see the tree fill up with heartfelt messages that highlight just how much this hospital means to so many people.

When the tree returns to PRHC in time for Christmas, it’ll spread warmth and encouragement to everyone who sees it.

If you’d like to help decorate the tree, we invite you to share your stories or messages on the Sharing Tree webpage.

To donate to the PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC, please click here.

Your support is helping shape the future of healthcare in our region. Thank you!

Celebrating National Philanthropy Day and all that donors make possible at PRHC

Today marks National Philanthropy Day, a time to honour those who demonstrate the spirit of giving and are helping us reimagine healthcare.    

Philanthropy fuels our mission at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation and inspires our dedicated team everyday. Because of your generous support, our colleagues at PRHC are able to expand services, create a healing environment for patients, and use state-of-the-art technology.    

Earlier this year we launched the $60 million Campaign for PRHC, our most ambitious initiative yet. With our growing population and the volume of patients on the rise, support is necessary so our hospital colleagues can continue to provide excellent patient care.   

“Many people are surprised to learn the government doesn’t fund hospital equipment,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO. “Your donations are vital to helping PRHC continue delivering world-class care with up-to-date technology.”   

Heighway announced that because of the community’s generous ongoing support, the Foundation has now achieved 82% of its campaign goal to date. “This is wonderful,” Heighway said. “Thanks to our donors who continue to rally around our hospital, the campaign has now reached over $49.5 million raised.”

PRHC is already seeing the benefits of this ambitious campaign. The hospital has introduced two new CT scanners and an additional MRI machine which are allowing doctors to provide patients with faster diagnoses, follow up and treatment. Your gifts have also helped bring new minimally invasive technology to the Operating Rooms and trauma equipment to the Emergency Department to support lifesaving care.  

Construction is underway on a secure, outdoor courtyard for patients in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Currently, patients in the PICU have no access to the outside. This courtyard will give them a place to get fresh air, visit with family, and receive compassionate care. 

With your continued investment, we’ll also bring digital pathology to our region. This groundbreaking technology will allow the lab team at PRHC to get vital diagnostic information into the hands of doctors sooner. “With chronic diseases like cancer on the rise,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO of PRHC, “now is the time to make a difference. Your support can help fund innovative digital diagnostic tools, supporting early detection and lifesaving treatments.”    

“This is just the beginning,” Dr. Mikula added. “There’s so much more we have planned, and together, we’ll increase access to care for everyone while creating a top-notch environment doctors want to work in.” 

On National Philanthropy Day, we want to thank our community of supporters who champion healthcare everyday. Together, we can continue reimagining health and care, for a brighter and healthier future.   

Help bring the best the world has to offer to our doorstep

Guided by Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s vision, led by campaign volunteers, and made possible by donors like you, we’ll propel innovation and transform care at our hospital through the Campaign for PRHC. Together, we’ll help advance the following areas of care: 

Cardiac Care – $11 million

Donor support is helping unlock opportunities and put the people, infrastructure, systems and programs in place to allow world-class cardiac care across the spectrum.

This includes building and equipping a new cardiac electrophysiology lab that will allow the cardiac care team to diagnose and treat patients with abnormal heart rhythms at PRHC for the first time in its history. These patients will no longer have to travel to hospitals as far away as Toronto or Kingston for lifesaving treatment.  

Cancer Care – $12 million

Donations are empowering experts to treat more patients with more cancer types, support earlier diagnosis, and ensure more effective treatments, close to home.

These life-changing advancements include digital pathology, a state-of-the-art, artificial intelligence supported laboratory technology that will help complete repetitive, time-consuming tasks in minutes instead of hours, so doctors can make diagnoses and treatment decisions sooner. 

PRHC will also expand pediatric cancer care, with a space designed for the expert delivery of cancer care to children. This will help keep vulnerable patients from becoming sicker, while lessening the big emotional and financial burden faced by families when they have to travel for their child’s lifesaving treatment.

Minimally Invasive Intervention – $14 million

Your gifts are allowing doctors, nurses and staff to treat patients with multiple life-threatening conditions – safely, quickly – in state-of-the-art new facilities like a hybrid operating room (OR). 

The advanced technology in a hybrid OR allows specialized care teams to perform multiple open and minimally invasive operations on the same patient, on the same day, in the same room. This means safer, more comfortable care and better results for a patient who would otherwise need multiple surgeries with months-long recovery time in between, if their health would even allow it. 

Mental Health – $4 million

Donors are helping to create healing environments and address increasing demand for care with modern mental health spaces. 

New areas at PRHC will include a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) courtyard – a safe, supportive outdoor space for some of the sickest patients in our hospital. PICU patients currently can’t go outside even though their stay could be weeks or months long. Research shows time outdoors improves outcomes and reduces length of stay in hospital, as well as the use of antidepressants.

PRHC will also help meet growing demand for psychiatric emergency care by expanding and improving the Crisis Response Unit in the Emergency Department. Increasing the size of the space will create a waiting area especially for children and youth in crisis and their families, as well as an accessible washroom with a shower, and a secure, short-stay area for high-risk patients who need enhanced nursing care. 

Urgent Needs – $17 million

Your gifts are enabling PRHC to respond quickly to the top emerging priorities each year, in areas like the Emergency Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Breast Assessment Centre. 

Physician Innovation Accelerator Endowed Fund – $2 million 

Donations are helping PRHC invest in physician-driven research and creativity that will result in game-changing advances in patient care. The hospital will equip several doctors a year with the support to design, apply and evaluate their innovations. Not only will this benefit patients by helping them get out of hospital and back to their lives sooner, but it will also help PRHC attract and keep top-notch physicians.

The impact of your early campaign support is being felt through exciting investments

PRHC Foundation’s $60 million Campaign for PRHC focuses on raising funds for extensive hospital advancements in cardiac care, cancer care, minimally invasive surgeries, interventional radiology, mental health and addictions services, and a physician-driven innovation accelerator research fund. Since 2020, the Foundation has been working with donors to build support for the campaign, and these efforts have already raised $45.5 million – or 75% – of the $60 million goal. 

The impact of the funds raised to date is being felt through exciting campaign investments already made – thank you! These include: 

  • A second MRI (pictured above) to facilitate up to 5,000 more procedures a year, addressing wait times from a 53% increase in demand and improving diagnostic care close to home
  • The upgrade and replacement of two Cardiac Cath Lab suites with state-of-the-art technology for better visualization and shorter, safer procedures
  • Two new cutting-edge CT scanners to support the early diagnosis of cancer and other conditions
  • The renovation and upgrade of the interventional radiology suites to enhance patient care and introduce endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) here for the first time to stop strokes as they’re happening
  • The upgrade of four general operating rooms with advanced minimally invasive tools so experts can perform essential surgeries with new, fluorescence-guided imaging and increased precision
  • The opening of the new Scotiabank Youth Eating Disorders Day Treatment Clinic to support youth aged 12-25 who need lifesaving care to normalize eating and restore weight
  • Urgent needs as identified by the hospital, including critical equipment and technology that supported PRHC’s new designation as a Level III Trauma Centre 
For more information or to support the Campaign for PRHC, please donate online or call 705-876-5000.

Pediatric Cancer Care Expansion

Childhood cancers are on the rise and PRHC is seeing the effects. PRHC’s pediatric cancer care program supports the greater region of Peterborough City and County, City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, eastern portions of the Region of Durham, and the Haliburton Highlands. Last year there were 605 pediatric cancer patient visits to the hospital by an average of 22 patients. This represents a 35% increase over the past four years.

Continue reading

Digital Pathology

PRHC provides innovative, individualized and compassionate services across the spectrum of cancer care – including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship/palliative care. The Health Centre serves a regional area of 600,000 people and the number of cancer patients doctors, nurses and staff see at PRHC has grown significantly. Last year alone, there were over 23,000 patient visits to the Cancer Clinic.

Continue reading