A growing family of care
Build strong and successful relationships
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Niagara Health Now – Finding a way to communicate to many different audiences is a challenge that has been ably met with Niagara Health Now, a new 12-page monthly newspaper offering a range of information to appeal to members of the hospital family, community partners and the general public. It is available online and in more than 70 locations, including libraries and long-term care homes throughout Niagara.
- New family physician office at Port Colborne Site – A new family physician is now serving Port Colborne. Dr. Haibo Xu began his family practice at Port Colborne Site in December. This was a collaborative effort between the City of Port Colborne and Niagara Health to bring more primary healthcare to the area.
- Helping in Haiti – Niagara Health Lab Technologist Donna Thiessen and RN Else Marie Regier answered the call for healthcare professionals during the devastating February earthquake, spending several days helping out. Back home, Engineering Manager Bill Lewis helped arrange the delivery of out-of-service NHS equipment, including anesthetic machines and an X-ray fluoroscopy machine, for use in the medical relief effort.
- Take CARE of Your Future Camp – Take CARE (Career Awareness and Resource Exploration) of Your Future Camp was once again a great success during March break, when 24 Grade 11 and 12 students from across Niagara participated in workshops and met peers with similar interests. This educational and potential recruitment opportunity is fairly unique in Ontario and is made possible through an extensive partnership of Niagara agencies.
People are our greatest resource, and the larger Niagara Health family includes auxiliaries, foundations and volunteers who are key supports we simply couldn’t do without.
Our Auxiliary members combine their support for our sites in two ways – services for patients and fundraising. The St. Catharines General Hospital Auxiliary, celebrating 145 years of continuous service in 2010, is the oldest hospital auxiliary in Canada. Gift shops, fundraising events, sewing circles and bedside support are a few of the functions these volunteers provide.
Another key support comes from our seven hospital foundations, working actively to raise much-needed funds for new medical equipment. The government does not fund replacement medical equipment, so the money for these important purchases must come from our communities. Even in these challenging economic times, our foundations have been able to meet – and in some cases exceed – their respective fundraising goals, raising $7,665,844 last year to purchase new or replacement equipment for our seven sites, and for equipment for the future healthcare complex and Walker Family Cancer Centre, now under construction in west St. Catharines.
Our group of volunteers are more than 1,000 strong. They come from all walks of life and are all ages, some bringing a special interest or hobby to brighten patients’ days, such as pet therapy or playing the piano. Others assist with greeting patients or serving on the Board of Trustees and Standing Committees. Quite simply, our volunteers are an integral part of the care team, and they do their volunteer work with warmth, kindness and professionalism.
To our auxiliaries, foundations and volunteers, thank you for the difference you make in our community! «
Greater Niagara General Hospital Auxilians, from left, Margaret Hein, Clara Garritano and President Isabelle Muracco make a difference in the lives of people around them by working in the gift shop at the site, among their many volunteer efforts.
