As we look back on the past year or forward to the near future, we see a Huntsville and Muskoka region growing and a healthcare system evolving. No matter what the tides of change bring, one thing remains true: Huntsville Hospital is Our Hospital. Whether we live, work or play here, it’s here when we need it. Supporting it together as a community strengthens our connection to one another, and it makes this – and so much more – possible.
CARE AND COMPASSION CLOSE TO WHERE YOU NEED IT MOST
023039
ER visits in 2023/2024
044249
DI orders (visits) in 2023/2024
THE TECHNOLOGY YOU DESERVE AND EXPECT ACCESS TO
018348
X-rays performed in 2023/2024
04783
Surgeries & Endoscopy in 2023/2024
First things first: a heartfelt thanks from our team
If you’ve ever stepped foot in Huntsville Hospital, even just once, you know the care and compassion you’ll receive from our team is exceptional. They make Huntsville Hospital Our Hospital. They make us proud. We thank them for everything they do.
And they thank you – our donors – for helping to make it all possible.
Dr. Heather Sawula ER Physician Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
Dr. Heather Sawula
Dr. Sawula has been an Emergency physician with Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare for the past six years. She loves calling Muskoka home, together with her husband Dr. Derek Smith, an anesthesiologist with Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, their beautiful daughter Cameron and their golden retriever, Ralph. For Dr. Sawula, being part of a welcoming community, both at work and at home is everything – and she’s found that here. The bonus? Four beautiful seasons for outdoor fun.
“As a local physician, I know first-hand the impact of donor generosity. Your generosity. And I wanted to say thank you.”
Dr. Stephenson has been practicing medicine in Huntsville for 24 years. She lives here with her partner, two old dogs and two cats, and sometimes her two adult children as well. For Dr. Stephenson, Muskoka is the best place in the world to live. She loves the beauty of the natural environment and everything it offers, plus the forward thinking progressive community, and their generosity.
“Your generosity means we can acquire new technology and equipment that saves lives. Your donations make doing what we do possible. From everyone at our hospital, your hospital, thank you.”
You’ve probably seen the Foundation use this phrase recently. I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you exactly what it means.
We live in a world where news is not always news and social media can often do more to confuse than inform. That is why reinforcing our transparency and our commitment to stewarding your donations is even more important than ever. Especially as we journey toward redeveloping Huntsville Hospital and the entire hospital system in Muskoka.
So, our word is our promise to you, as your Foundation. It’s a promise that is, and always has been, unwavering even as the healthcare needs, priorities and systems change around us. That promise is to operate as accountable and responsible stewards of your generous gifts, with complete transparency. It’s a promise to remain your reliable source of information and fact-based updates on what the future holds for Our Hospital, as redevelopment plans unfold. It’s also a promise to ensure the highest standard of compassionate care continues to be available at your doorstep. How? By remaining laser focused on our mission to inspire donations and support of Huntsville Hospital. It’s Our Hospital.
That focus helped Huntsville Hospital achieve some wonderful milestones this year, improving healthcare for all of us, whether we live, work or play here. Our $10 million three year Focus on Imaging Campaign successfully concluded, thanks to the transformational gift from George and Carolyn Christodoulou, and to every single one of you who donated. We officially broke ground on our MRI technology and installed other new equipment including new state-of-the-art x-ray technology, three new ultrasounds, and are updating bone density and mammography technology. Equipping Huntsville Hospital with Muskoka’s very first MRI technology and these other upgrades means better diagnosis, more effective treatment and faster recovery for our loved ones. It’s monumental and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved as a community, not to mention deeply grateful to everyone who stepped up.
None of this is possible without my extraordinary team, who I’d like to take a moment to thank. Without the devotion and the joy they spread here, and across our donor community, our success wouldn’t be possible. I also want to thank our Board, past and present, for their leadership and talent. And of course, I want to thank you, our thoughtful donors. From your large donations, annual donations, continued pledges, Business Cares commitments, or your donated birthday money - it all makes a profound difference and I couldn’t be more thankful.
In return for your generosity, you have Our Word. We will continue to serve as your trusted Foundation, inspiring donations, supporting outstanding healthcare here and bringing energy and optimism for the future, always.
Katherine Craine Executive Director, CFRE Huntsville Hospital Foundation
Transitions: A Message from the Foundation Board Chair
I must begin this report by thanking our amazing donors and our…
Transitions: A Message from the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Board Chair
I must begin this report by thanking our amazing donors and our fantastic foundation team for reaching the $10 million Focus on Imaging goal ahead of schedule this year.
This gives us even more confidence in our shared capacity to meet our goals. And the timing couldn’t be better. Healthcare, fundraising and even foundation governance are all experiencing transition and change. Our changes begin with the departure of three key Board members who have served our hospital so well over the past decade. I want to personally thank Pat Dubé, Geoff Shaw and Susan Love (Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary), for their service, commitment and the passion they have contributed.
In addition, I want to welcome new Board members to the team: Andy MacCulloch, Charles Neuwald, James Estey and Trevor Groh bring a wealth of skills and experience (please see their exceptional bios on our website). We also welcome the co-presidents of the Hospital Auxiliary, Helene Gayowsky and Jeanne O’Neill to our Board. Along with the rest of our Board team, we’re in good hands for the future.
As you will see in our Financial Statements, another transition at your Foundation is the shift from the deferred method of accounting to the fund method. This will provide clear tools for decision making and better transparency for donors. We have also completed the implementation of best-in-class internal controls.
The delivery of hospital services in Muskoka must evolve to reflect economic reality, population changes, hospital service delivery changes and the advance of technology and connectivity. Muskoka needs new thinking and new hospitals to go with it.
We have committed $35 million to this renewal project. This is over and above the continuing annual needs of the Hospital along with special equipment needs that will arise. Our total target for the next ten years is approximately $60 million. That may sound daunting, yet consider the success of our Focus on Imaging Campaign. And the vocal support of many in our area, best exemplified by the leadership in Almaguin. While he details of the new, two-hospital system continue to evolve, we remain focused on providing reliable information to our donors and engaging community leaders in preparation for the launch of the next campaign. Our role and your role in this transition right now is to answer the call when it comes. Thank you to our Board for their amazing commitment. Thank you to our equally amazing Foundation team. And a special thank you to our incredible donors. Together, we’re in a great position to lead change.
MIKE HARROWER Board Chair, Huntsville Hospital Foundation
Huntsville Hospital Can See Inside
Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s
Focus on Imaging Campaign raised…
Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Focus on Imaging Campaign raised in excess of $10 million over three years and the transformational gift of $1 million from George and Carolyn Christodoulou marked its successful conclusion. In addition to acquiring Muskoka’s very first MRI technology, construction started this summer, other new equipment includes new state-of-the-art x-ray technology, three new ultrasounds, bone density technology and updated mammography technology.
This is a tremendous achievement by our donor community and we extend our thanks to everyone who has contributed. Not only will your gifts improve diagnosis accuracy and speed treatment and recovery, your generosity will change and save lives.
Your impact is clear and now we can See Inside.
HIGHLIGHTS
Over $10 Million Raised
New X-ray Technology
3 New Ultrasounds
July 2024: Celebrated MRI groundbreaking ceremony and look forward to project completion early 2025.
It’s no big surprise we have an exceptional community of donors.
Celebrating them comes easy. Especially in the case of Linda Boothby, founder and owner of Lake of Bays Garden Centre in Dwight. For over 20 years Linda has poured herself into her successful business, tending to it with care. Despite how busy she is, Linda extends that same care to her community. For many years, she has supported the Huntsville Hospital Foundation by donating her time and talents to our events, and every season she provides the Foundation with beautiful planters around the building. Thank you, Linda, for your commitment and friendship to the Foundation.
If you are interested in supporting the Foundation, there are so many ways to get involved. You can donate your time, like Linda, plan your own fundraising event, or become a Business Cares Member. These members commit to a $5,000 gift each year for 5 years, generating consistent, dependable funding for the Hospital each year.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s multi-site regional hospital redevelopment journey continues. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know further stakeholder and physician engagement sessions have been held and strides have been made on an updated plan. The Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, consisting of department chiefs, clinical committee chairs, medical directors and physician leads from both North and South Muskoka, has provided its strong endorsement of the proposed health system plan. The main goal is to improve local healthcare by making two bigger hospitals that offer more services than they do now. The planning team is focused on this goal, and on keeping high quality care as the Foundation of all decisions throughout the process. An official plan will be submitted for government approval in the fall.
As your Foundation, it is our goal to remain focused on total transparency and providing you with reliable, fact based information as it becomes available.
Huntsville Hospital Foundation donors Brian and Marlene Robinson’s love story starts in an unlikely place - they met in court in Wasaga Beach. Brian was an OPP officer and Marlene was a court reporter. Together they built a beautiful life in Port Sydney, and they’ve been generously donating to the Foundation for at least 35 years. They’ve always recognized there’s a need now, and in the future. A few years back, they sold their vintage Mustang and donated the entire proceeds between the Foundation and the local Hospice.
As our Hospital plans for the future, many donors are considering their legacy and the lasting impact they can have on healthcare through a gift in their will. “There is a need and we can do it. It’s for our community. It’s our Hospital. And every dollar helps,” says Brian.
Brian and Marlene have used the hospital over the years, like all locals. But recently Marlene was cared for here as she awaited a transfer to a long term care facility. She has progressing dementia. The Foundation so looked forward to Brian’s regular visits, when he was here devotedly to see Marlene everyday.
Brian is glad the Hospital was here when they needed it. And glad to continue his support. Making a difference doesn’t require a red Mustang. “If you can only give a dollar or $50 that’s fine. It all matters,” he says.
He’s right. The Foundation thanks Brian and Marlene for their unwavering commitment to the Foundation for all these years, and for years to come through Legacy Giving. We are so truly grateful.
A THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Your support now and in the future means Huntsville Hospital can continue to provide the highest standard of care. Your kind donations ensure our medical professionals and staff have the technology they need to provide advanced care to you and your family. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
A Full Circle Moment: Raised here, a family cottage here, and now a $1 million pledge to healthcare, here.
The Christodoulous gift of $1 million from the family’s G&C Be Kind Foundation to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Focus on Imaging Campaign in June 2024 continues a lifelong commitment to local hospital support that started over a generation ago with Carolyn’s parents and family.
A Full Circle Moment: Born here, a family cottage here, and now a $1 million pledge to healthcare, here.
The Christodoulous gift of $1 million from the family’s G&C Be Kind Foundation to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Focus on Imaging Campaign in June 2024 continues a lifelong commitment to local hospital support that started over a generation ago with Carolyn’s parents and family.
Carolyn grew up in Huntsville and went to school here. Her sons played house league hockey here. In 1993, the family bought a cottage on Pen Lake. And when they’ve needed it, Huntsville Hospital has always been here.
“We see this very much as our community and our Hospital,” says George. ”Giving to help the Hospital acquire Muskoka’s first MRI made the most sense to us - we see Huntsville as home.”
When George’s mom had a stroke years ago, the right treatment helped her live a better life. And the experience put the importance of MRI close by into clear focus, leading to this extraordinarily generous pledge from the family.
The Foundation and the entire community is deeply grateful to Carolyn and George for their commitment to healthcare, here, and for such a truly significant gift. It makes a profound difference in local healthcare for everyone who lives, works and plays in Muskoka.
