By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
DUNNVILLE—Last year, the Dunnville Healthcare and Hospital Foundation (DHHF) made a hefty promise. The promise was to raise over $1 million to help Haldimand War Memorial Hospital (HWMH) and Edgewater Gardens (EG) purchase vital new equipment needed to offer the best care possible to patients at both facilities.
This amount of money coming from a small town like Dunnville may have seemed lofty, but the DHHF has done it, bringing in $1.4 million through the generosity of the community.
Portable X-Ray – $160,000
“We are thrilled to hear of the DHHF’s success this past year. During these challenging times, the support of the DHHF and the community has helped in so many ways,” said HWMH and EG President and CEO Sharon Moore. “The financial support is crucial of course, but it is also encouraging for all the staff and physicians to see the community rally together to support us. The DHHF created the Healthcare Heroes program last year and this program combines both financial support and recognition for our hard-working frontline workers.”
HWMH Board Chair Todd Pentlichuk echoed Moore’s sentiments: “Not unlike other community-based hospitals in Ontario, HWMH and EG have faced significant funding challenges. The DHHF’s support of our current and future capital projects, as well as equipment and facilities for our community, has been invaluable. Over the past year, these funds have helped us purchase a new ultrasound machine, a new transportation van for Edgewater residents, as well as upgrade our x-ray facility.”
He added, “These initiatives would not have been possible without the continued support and generosity of the DHHF and our community. Our goal is to ensure individuals receive quality health care, whether as a patient in the hospital, at Edgewater Gardens, or in the community.”
X-Ray Room – $300,000
Hospitals typically rely on donations for new medical equipment purchases, which in turn allows them to provide the most up-to-date care for patients and the community: “With the technology changing so quickly, it is vital for our hospital to upgrade the equipment regularly to ensure we are providing the highest level of quality care,” said Moore.
Moore made sure to thank both the members of DHHF as well as the public who have contributed for their “energy, enthusiasm, and creativity,” which she called “contagious, in a good way.”
“When so many people are struggling during the pandemic it is heartwarming to see community members reach deep into their pockets to support health care close to home,” said Moore. “The hospital has been proudly serving this community for over 100 years and with the ongoing support from both the DHHF and our community, we can plan for our next 100 years.”
With this huge accomplishment in the books, it’s time for DHHF to look ahead. One of the major upcoming expenses at HWMH is the need for a new CT scanner.
“In 2013, HWMH was able to purchase, with the help of the DHHF and our community, our first CT scanner,” explained Moore. “This was monumental for our patients, the hospital, and our region. While this was a state-of-the art machine in 2013, it is now nearing its end of life. The hospital is planning to upgrade the equipment in the next year or two to ensure we continue to provide the most up-to-date services possible. This equipment is very expensive and we cannot afford to purchase it without donated funds.”
CT scanners, however, don’t come cheap, and once again, HWMH is turning to the DHHF and the community to help raise the $1.5 million needed to buy a new one.
HWMH and EG are focused on providing a full spectrum of care to patients from newborn infants through to the community’s growing senior population, and everyone in-between: “At HWMH we serve our community members throughout their lifespan. Most individuals living in our region will require the use of our services at some point in their lives. We offer a range of health care services, from routine laboratory and diagnostic services to full emergency care,” said Moore.
She continued, “As a rural health care provider, we maintain relationships with many other health care providers to ensure a smooth transfer of care when the individual’s needs are beyond the level we can offer on site. For end-of-life care, our inpatient unit offers compassionate care close to home during the most difficult stage of life.”
Pentlichuk summed up his thoughts on the ongoing need for the community to continue donating toward DHHF’s efforts: “Each and every donation makes a difference to the quality of health care and clinical services HWMH and EG can provide. On behalf of our board of directors, hospital staff, physicians – and those we are privileged to serve – thank you for supporting the DHHF. Thanks to you, excellent local health care is a reality.”
