Message from President & CEO Debbie Sevenpifer

Debbie Sevenpifer,
President and Chief Executive Officer

When it comes to healthcare, the importance of being informed cannot be emphasized enough.  We encourage patients to be active participants in their healthcare by being informed and working with their healthcare providers to ensure their questions are answered and their needs are met.

At a broader, more public level, Niagara Health holds dozens of public information sessions, speaking engagements, health forums and community open houses throughout the year. I would encourage everyone to attend some of these sessions in the coming weeks and months to learn more about healthy living, ask questions about the changes taking place across our hospital system as we work through the Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP) recommendations, get the latest construction update on the new Healthcare Complex and Walker Family Cancer Centre, and participate in various fundraising activities to improve healthcare in Niagara.

As part of our ongoing commitment to community engagement, we are introducing a new column in this issue of Niagara Health Now entitled Upcoming Events. By turning to page 8 on a regular basis, we are hoping to make it easier for you to keep up to date on the various upcoming events being held across our region.

Beginning next week, we are holding Community Open Houses in Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines and Thorold to give the public an opportunity to view interior design options and the layout for the new Healthcare Complex and Walker Family Cancer Centre, learn about building safe radiation treatment facilities and provide an update on construction of the facility.

Also beginning next week, three specialist physicians will speak about men’s health issues including sexual health and aging, osteoporosis, and prostate diseases at Men’s Health Forums to be held in Welland and St. Catharines.

As HIP recommendations are implemented, our commitment to public education about changes taking place continues in the coming months with information sessions in Fort Erie to help residents understand what the conversion of the Emergency Room to an Urgent Care Centre means for them.

Niagara Health is fortunate to have the fundraising support of seven hospital foundations. These foundations are busy planning a growing number of big and small fundraising events to support site specific and regional healthcare needs in Niagara. Please go to www.niagarahealth.on.ca and click on the Foundations link at the top of the home page for a full list of these events.
I encourage everyone to take the time to check out the Upcoming Events listing on page 8 to see if there are events in your community that are of interest to you. You will also notice stories on some of these events on the other pages of Niagara Health Now.

As part of our Speakers Bureau, we welcome the opportunity for our healthcare experts to speak to community organizations. Please check
www.niagarahealth.on.ca/health/education/speakers-bureau/ and let us know if your group would like to arrange for a speaker.

Being in the know about your health and your healthcare system is “good medicine” for everyone, and I appreciate the opportunity to share this important
information with all.  «