SPRING 2019 ISSUE
our community is our foundation.
Emergency care campaign on track Last fall, the Emergency Care Campaign was launched to raise funds for the Emergency Department (ED) as well as the other departments that support emergency care. The South Muskoka Memorial Hospital has one of the busiest EDs in cottage country, seeing more than 20,000 patients a year, with a quarter of those visits occurring in July and August. Our most exciting update to the campaign is the announcement that Minett resident and philanthropist Brock Napier will double any donations received in 2019, up to $300,000. When other donors participate, Napier’s initiative could leverage a potential $600,000 toward the total campaign goal of $2.1 million. Napier’s commitment for the Emergency Care Campaign was sparked by his interest in ensuring patients at risk are provided with secure safe rooms during admission and diagnosis.
Safe room construction underway in emergency Emergency health care can be challenging work without the added stress of workplace violence. Last year alone, more than two dozen physical assaults were committed against doctors, nurses and staff at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH). Safe rooms help people on both sides of the stethoscope. When patients are agitated or aggressive in a hospital, they can endanger themselves and others, including other patients. With the ongoing rise of these incidents, installing two safe rooms in the emergency department became a top priority for SMMH and the Foundation.
The importance of safety meant these speciallydesigned rooms became the cornerstone of the current $2.1 million Emergency Care Campaign. Construction is underway and will hopefully be completed before the busy summer months. " Although the cornerstone of the campaign is the safe rooms for the ED, funding is also being sought for the departments that support emergency care. Six out of ten patients who come to the ED require additional testing, such as x-rays, other imaging modalities and lab work. Some examples of items to be purchased include a vital signs monitor, crash carts, and an anesthesia machine. Although the government funds the operations of the hospital, it is up to the community to raise funds for equipment. To contribute to this year’s Emergency Care Campaign and qualify for the matching grant, please contact the Foundation office.
"We are grateful for our community's support in this campaign," said the Foundation's Executive Director Colin Miller. "The need for secure rooms designed to protect patients from hurting themselves or others, has become essential in hospitals across Ontario, and we're no exception." The specially-designed rooms have a protective metal encasement that separates potential dangers (such as medical gases and other implements) from the patient. Other equipment in the room is designed to help prevent the patient from harming themselves. Also included in the project is a specially-designed washroom constructed with tamper proof stainless steel fixtures. For further information, please call or visit the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation office, or go online to healthmuskoka.ca
It takes a community COLIN MILLER, Executive Director, South Muskoka Hospital Foundation
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Over the years, the generous spirit of our donors has inspired me and I've found myself curious about motivation for giving.
2018-2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS South Muskoka Hospital Foundation
MARK GIDLEY Chair
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JODIE EVANS Throughout this newsletter, you will read about Brock Napier, who so kindly is contributing up to $300,000 in matching grants for the Emergency Care Campaign. And that’s just his most recent gift. Brock has donated close to $900,000 in support of our community hospital. And we’re just one of many recipients of his generosity. I find it intriguing when he told us he has two reasons for giving: firstly, he knows he can’t take it with him and the second, he says, “It gives me great joy.” I’ve seen that same joy in the eyes of many others. Whether it’s from knowing the day of golf they just enjoyed is supporting the hospital, or they’re making a contribution during our Moose-FM Radiothon or donating to honour a loved one – that sense of involvement for a cause is truly satisfying. Earlier this year, we received an initial disbursement from a bequest that will likely exceed $1 million in value. This
bequest and Brock’s contributions have the capacity to transform health care in Muskoka. But the heart of a donor isn’t limited by the amount they can give. We appreciate every gift, no matter how large or small. And this sentiment is echoed by Brock, who hopes we will match his $300,000 commitment from other community donations. There are many other options for those of us who do not possess the resources of our larger donors. Legacy Societies, which we have introduced in this newsletter and for which we are seeking founding members, offer options and flexibility for donors to set aside a gift in their will, trust or estate plan. This works particularly well for those who wish to donate, yet have assets they need to use and retain during their lifetime. We want to recognize today those who are making gifts tomorrow. Witnessing a donor’s satisfaction and joy is one of the best things about my job. And for that, I am grateful to you.
thank you.
COLIN MILLER
Vice-Chair
DAVID SMITH Treasurer
RON AUSTIN Director
NATALIE BUBELA Director
ROBINSON CLARK Director
KEITH CROSS Director
JOHN CURRAN Director
GLENN GREAVETTE Director
PAUL HAMMOND Director
KEVIN SMITH Director
LESLIE WILFORD Director
Who is Brock Napier?
The man with a passion for community health care He prefers working in the background, making things happen to the benefit of the community he loves. For many years, Minett resident Brock Napier has done just that, quietly making a difference in South Muskoka. Napier is the generous donor who has challenged the community to match his grant of up to $300,000 for the Emergency Care Campaign at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. By leveraging his gift this way, there’s a potential to raise $600,000 but donations must be received in 2019 to qualify.
The South Muskoka Hospital Foundation wants to recognize those who have made a meaningful commitment to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital with a future legacy gift for the benefit of their community. For those who want to create a legacy beyond their lifetime, a Legacy Society helps donors to accomplish this. If you have made arrangements in your will, trust, or other deferred gift, you are already eligible to be a member of the Legacy Society.
Foundation
Legacy launches new
Matching grant donor Brock Napier (centre) at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Site's emergency department with Chief Nursing Executive and Clinical Services Esther Millar (left) and SMHF Executive Director Colin Miller (right).
The focus of Napier’s generosity has been initiatives within the Muskoka area, some of which have been health care projects – $500,000 for the hospital CT scanner in 2014 and $250,000 each for Andy’s House hospice, the Port Carling nursing station and the Port Carling Lions Club Senior Retirement Residence. He has also supported the Bracebridge Lions Club’s guide dog program for the blind. And, one could still call it health care – but for his four-legged friends – the Muskoka SPCA facility on Highway 118 West. Why? What motivates this level of commitment? Napier replies that he gets great satisfaction in seeing the results of his philanthropy. “It gives me great joy,” is his simple yet profound answer. “I learned from the Egyptian pharaohs,” he explained. “They thought they could take it with them, but they found out afterward they couldn’t.” For Napier, his choice to support his favourite causes, “has to do with community and what it gives everybody up here in Muskoka. I want to maintain that, so I do what I can to support it.” He is hoping others will be encouraged to follow his lead and says, “No matter the amount, it all adds up.” If Brock Napier’s words have inspired you to support the Emergency Care Campaign, please contact the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation at (705) 645-4404 ext. 3193
Society
This concept fits well for those who wish to donate and establish their intentions while being able to defer the gift. The amount can be of any size and the donor can choose to fund a specific program or help wherever the need is greatest. Donors always maintain the right to change their estate plans at any time. Once established, the Foundation will recognize members of the Legacy Society in a new section of the donor wall, prominently located in the lobby of the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. It is expected that the first core group of founding members will see a new section of the wall unveiled this fall.
For more information on how to become a Legacy Society member, please contact the Foundation office.
Giving back community highlights Kawartha Credit Union contributed $5,000 towards new beds for the hospital. From left, Stacy Orr and Sheila McCrank of the Bracebridge Branch with Leah Walker of the Foundation.
Last holiday season, the residents of Castle Peak Retirement Residence in Bracebridge donated $1,500 to the Foundation in honour of their staff last holiday season. At left, Colin Miller of the Foundation accepts a cheque from Castle Peak resident Doreen Thompson and Jennifer Sheridan, Recreation Coordinator.
The Foundation was one of the recipients of the Smart and Caring Muskoka Fund from the Muskoka Community Foundation. $3,000 has been directed toward the purchase of a new crash cart as part of the Emergency Care campaign.
75 Ann Street Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E4 T: 705-645-4404 ext. 3193
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161 in Bracebridge provided $3,000 in support of urgently needed health care equipment. From left: Ladies Auxiliary President Marion Altman, Poppy Chairman Craig Wilson, Colin Miller of the Foundation and Branch 161 President Shirley Ruttan.
our community is our foundation.
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Future planning continues,
focused on how to build the future NATALIE BUBELA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Our Capital Plan Development Task Force continues through Stage 1 of the Ministry’s capital planning process with a focus on having two hospitals for Muskoka and area in the future. That’s a hospital in Bracebridge and in Huntsville with 24-7 emergency departments, surgical services and inpatient care including obstetrics and intensive care supported by core diagnostic services at each site. Knowing this is the Board-endorsed service delivery model for the future, since the fall we have been working on how we would build that model. Is it best to renovate and expand, is it better to replace the building altogether on the existing land? Or are we better to move to a new location? Three workshops with clinicians and community partners helped determine the size of space we would need in the future to match the programs, services and increased bed base we foresee, as well as the adjacencies of those departments to each other. High-level floor plans were created and layered onto each hospital property in line with the most ideal development spot. This work showed us more specifically what a renovation and expansion, a
replacement build on the existing land, and a new build on a new site in Bracebridge could look like. Videos describing each option are on the MAHC website at http://bit.ly/2BCK28B. Following active engagement across the region, our feedback survey received 140 responses that have been shared with the Task Force. Once the Task Force has all the information needed, members will evaluate and recommend the preferred building design option for each site to the MAHC Board of Directors. These are very exciting times for Muskoka and area to shape the future redevelopment of hospital care. We all need to invest in the future and make our hospitals the best they can be for our kids and grandkids. Please continue to support your hospital’s needs today and for a brighter future.
are very exciting times for Muskoka and area to “These shape the future redevelopment of hospital care.
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NATALIE BUBELA
Kudos from hospital
accreditation evaluation South Muskoka Memorial Hospital was recently awarded a designation of “exemplary standing” by an independent peer evaluation administered by Accreditation Canada. The evaluation is conducted once every four years and ranks hospitals on an exhaustive 2,400 criteria. Five accreditation surveyors spent four days at the South Muskoka and Huntsville hospital sites. The goal is to ensure high quality care and safety in every facet of hospital operations. “Accredited with Exemplary Standing means our organization has attained the highest level of performance excellence in meeting the requirements of the accreditation program,” says Natalie Bubela, Chief Executive Officer.
“Quality and safety are at the core of MAHC’s operations,” says Board Chair Phil Matthews. “Our communities should also feel pride and confidence in the hospitals that serve them each and every day and that in spite of our financial challenges and constraints we have maintained an unrelenting focus on quality and safety, which was apparent to the surveyors.” Foundation Executive Director Colin Miller adds: “This achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of our staff, physicians, and volunteers as well as the many donors who support the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation. Thank you.”
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South Muskoka’s Health Care Heroes Say thank you to your health care hero with a donation in their honour. Visit the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation to share your story today.
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Our Privacy Statement South Muskoka Hospital Foundation appreciates your generous financial support. We recognize your right to privacy and we pledge to protect it. The information you have provided to us will be used to process your donation(s) and to provide you with acknowlegement and an appropriate receipt. From time to time, we may use your contact information to keep you informed of other activities, events and/or fundraising opportunities in support of the Foundation. We are pleased to send you our biannual newsletter. The South Muskoka Hospital Foundation does not trade or sell donor lists. If at anytime you do not wish to be listed in our recognition programs or to receive our newsletter, please contact us at: (705) 645-4404, ext. 3193 or email at info@healthmuskoka.ca
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our community is our foundation.