Marie Richard Diagnostic Imaging Suite unveiled

To The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE—The Haldimand War Memorial Hospital (HWMH) is home to an upgraded X-ray suite including a new state of the art X-ray machine, thanks in large part to a $215,000 legacy donation from the estate of former nurse Alice ‘Marie’ Richard in 2021. 

The donation marked the second largest donation given to the Foundation in the last 10 years. 

On May 18, 2023 a few members of Marie’s family joined both HWMH and Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare (DHHF) staff to unveil the new X-ray suite now that the room has been upgraded and the new equipment has been installed.

On behalf of DHHF, Executive Director Penny Banks welcomed everyone and thanked them for being there to see the project come to fruition. Charitable giving is truly a personal choice. It is a choice from your heart and has the ability to change the lives of future generations regardless of who the beneficiary is.

It has been said that legacy giving is like planting a seed for a tree in the soil knowing you will never sit under the shade it provides. For those with the means and the interest, a legacy donation to an organization like DHHF results in improvements not only to our hospital but to the lives of those who call our community home.

DUNNVILLE—Shown (l-r) at the unveiling of the Marie Richard Diagnostic Imaging Suite are family members Carolyn Bish (niece), Brenda Mundy (niece), Leo Thompson (brother-in-law), Daryl Stevens (nephew), Jane Stevens (niece), and Melissa Thompson-Schultz (niece) alongside hospital and foundation representatives Penny Banks, Tom Dorland, Devon Inglis, and Sandie Heirwegh. —Photo courtesy of Rachel Williams.

We are so proud and honoured by Marie’s unwavering support for HWMH. She was a long-time generous donor to DHHF, and this upgraded diagnostic imaging suite is a result of that lifelong generosity.

It can’t be said enough – the government does not pay for medical equipment even though having updated and working equipment and technology is essential for hospitals to provide excellent healthcare. This is just one more reason why we are grateful for Marie’s gift. Not only has her gift changed the quality of care for patients but it will have a lasting impact here in Dunnville!

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff, and our entire community, Sandie Heirwegh, Chair of DHHF, thanked Marie’s family for celebrating this occasion with the HWMH and DHHF staff. She also stated that we are thrilled to have Marie’s name adorn our hospital walls once again!