Inspirational Stories of Giving A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
“You don’t have to be
a Millionaire to make a difference”
Erica Hyland was like any other first time expectant mother. However, when her water broke to reveal meconium she knew all was not well. She quickly found herself at Groves, but technically she was not going through labour. Erica was induced and with every contraction her baby’s heart rate would go down but then quickly recover. Repeated attempts to “vacuum” out her baby were unsuccessful. At 11:20 p.m. on May 27, 2012 Taylor Hyland was born but he wasn’t crying, he wasn’t breathing well on his own. The Groves team immediately went to work. Baby Taylor was stabilized but there were no typical responses in his legs or arms; his oxygen and blood pressure were low. Physicians and nurses at Groves were on the phone or fax trying to find a bed for him at a hospital with an intensive care nursery. The next morning, Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto answered everyone’s prayers. “It was a very scary ordeal and I was in rough shape. But
everyone at Groves knew how worried I was about my son. They knew I wanted to be with my baby. They did everything they could to fix me up and get me quickly discharged.” Erica wants to dispel the notion that a “small country hospital” can’t handle much or do much in cases of significant medical crises.
“There are a lot of ways to make a very uncomfortable experience positive. It doesn’t take a lot of money and it doesn’t take a lot of effort. It takes awareness, caring and respect on the part of the people who are involved and I really got that from everyone at Groves.” Two and a half years later, baby Taylor is not only an extremely healthy and happy boy, he is also a proud big brother to his younger brother Sydney. Erica says, “the emotional support you get when you are very vulnerable during a crisis--from certain people you encounter--can be so impactful
that you never forget it.” That is a truth she chose to put into action two months ago. At eight months pregnant with her second child Erica went in front of the Fyfe Family Foundation board (her employer) and requested a onetime gift of $30,000 to purchase a brand new Isolette for the Groves Obstetrics Unit (the existing one is at least 30 years old). The Fyfe Family Foundation unanimously agreed and Groves expects to have the new isolette in early 2015. “We were exactly where we needed to be for Taylor’s birth and my family is very thankful for how it all turned out. And I know that the people at Groves were a big part of that,” Erica says.
“You don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference. When I have the opportunity to show appreciation wherever I can, however I can – I will.”
- Erica Hyland
the groves foundation would like express their gratitude to erica hyland and the fyfe family foundation
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Inspirational Stories of Giving - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
“It’s Heritage River Retirement Residence opened their doors on March 1, 2008. This year to celebrate their 7th anniversary, owners Bob and Lynn Cameron decided recognize their original residents in a very special way. In honour of the ten original residents, Bob and Lynn Cameron made a $10,000 donation to The Groves Hospital Foundation. “I think health care is very critical as we get older”, said Bob Cameron. “Groves Hospital is the glue that holds this community together and our residents were very excited that we would donate something on their behalf.”
a Wonderful honour”
One of the Heritage River residents being recognized with this donation is Professor Christine Mather, 85 (pictured).
proudly. “I don’t know if people recognize how blessed we are to have a place like Groves so close to where we live.”
We discussed the donation in her honor and asked Christine if she could describe Heritage River in one word. “Kind” was her response. “If I am feeling ill, there is always someone who comes, even if it’s in the middle of the night.”
Christine can also be found giving her time to Tuck Shop at Heritage River. All proceed from the Tuck Shop go towards the Hospital.
Christine has been a clerical volunteer for almost 10 years at Groves Memorial Hospital. She helps patients and visitors navigate their way through the hospital. She also picks up lab samples, and ensures that files are labelled properly. “I like to think of myself as a cheerleader for Groves Hospital”, she said smiling
Art and Betty Shore (pictured) were also among the ten residents being recognized by Heritage River. “We never have to worry about yard work, making meals, and my wife is able to enjoy activities that make her happy”, he said. “I’m also happy there is a hospital close by that provides exceptional care”. In past years, the nearest hospital to Art and Betty was thirty kilometers away.
“It’s a wonderful honor to know that $1,000 is being donated in my name”, said resident Barb StewartSchieck (pictured). We asked Barb to describe Heritage River in one word. “Home” was her response. Heritage River is located in Elora and is home to 117 residents. It is a warm and welcoming space and truly a reflection of the residents and staff’s hospitable nature.
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
the groves foundation would like express their gratitude to bob and lynn cameron of heritage river
Front Row (L to R): Karsje Booy, Bill Moore, Laureen Moore, Edith Aitchison, Betty Shore, Olivia Macpherson (dog Ralph) Back Row (L to R): Heather Gergovich, Lynn Cameron, Cay Schaffter, Barb Stewart-Schieck, Christine Mather, Art Shore, Shannon Brinkman, and Bob Cameron
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
It was my beloved husband’s
life’s work
Every day, people at Groves Memorial Community Hospital make a difference. But just as important as our health care providers are to our hospital, as are the people who support it. Last week, Groves Hospital Foundation received a $250,000 donation. The generous gift came from Joan Bismillah in honour of her late husband Dr. Abdul.H Bismillah who was a former Chief of Staff and practiced medicine at Groves for over thirty-six years (1965 – 2001). The $250,000 gift is directed towards the New Groves Hospital Campaign and will name the front atrium of the new facility - a fitting tribute to a physician who opened the way for so many doctors to come to Groves.
Joan Bismillah (87), at her downtown Toronto condominium.
“We lived more than half of our lives here”, said Bismillah who arrived to Fergus from London, England in 1965. “The hospital meant a great deal to my husband and we always felt there was tremendous potential for the hospital to serve our community”. With a background in fine arts, Joan also recognized the importance of esthetics
within certain spaces of the hospital. “People always need to come first”, she said. “And they need to feel comfortable”. The recently renovated A.H Bismillah Palliative Care Lounge at Groves and the design concept of the front atrium in the new facility are just two examples of how Joan Bismillah is designing spaces that look and feel more like a home than a hospital. Her attention to detail provides patients and their families a safe, warm and calming environment during difficult times. Joan Bismillah’s $250,000 gift has given our community the launch pad to build a new and better Groves Hospital, acquire cutting-edge technology, and plan for a future of exceptional care for the people in our community who depend on us. “This hospital means a great deal. It was my beloved husband’s life’s work. My children grew up here. My grand daughter Amina was born here”, Joan said. “And I want to ensure the best health care possible for the next generation.”
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
Groves Hospital Volunteer Association and
The 3 Million Dollar Milestone
As part of National Volunteer Week, Groves Hospital will hold their annual Appreciation Tea for the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association (GHVA).
GHVA has actively participated in providing care and comfort to Groves patients for eighty-two years. Since 1933, GHVA volunteers have demonstrated that they are truly exceptional people--always taking time out of their own busy lives to help others. GHVA has always been a leader in their commitment to Groves and to our community. “Giving back to our community is important”, said Margaret Duffield, a GHVA member for over thirtyfive years. Volunteering their time and expertise, GHVA assists with duties that benefit patients within Groves Hospital. From supporting staff in the emergency room, to their Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), managing the Gift Shop, information desk, assisting with breast screenings, wheelchair repairs, delivering patient meals and managing the New to You Thrift Store (where all their proceeds are donated to Groves Hospital), GHVA tasks are as varied as the volunteers themselves. As diverse as our GHVA is, each one of them shares one common trait: the willingness to help.
In 1933, GHVA made Centre Wellington history as the first cash contributor to Groves Hospital. With the funds provided by their membership fees, GHVA (then called “Aid for the Hospital”) purchased the very first piece of hospital equipment: a wringer washer and two tubs for the laundry at a cost of $8. In 2002, the GHVA unanimously voted to support the Groves Hospital Redevelopment Fund. They pledged an unprecedented $1,000,000 –the largest cash gift in Centre Wellington’s history. That $1,000,000 gift was made to purchase PACS (Picture Archival and Communications System); ensuring Groves met international healthcare standards by converting the Diagnostic Imaging department from film to digital imaging. Less than two years later, GHVA presented Groves with $450,000--the first installment of their $1,000,000 commitment. And while they fulfilled their pledge in early 2009, GHVA also announced an additional $500,000 pledge for a new CT scanner for our hospital. This was the second largest cash gift in Centre Wellington’s history which they fulfilled one year ahead of time.
Volunteering is about generosity and our belief that we can make a difference. “It’s a lovely way to get out and be with people while supporting our current and future hospital at the same time”, said Helen Stevenson, an active volunteer at The Hospital Gift Shop. Since 1933, GHVA has certainly made a significant difference –they’ve gifted over $3 million to Groves Hospital! With a membership of 265 active volunteers, the GHVA is looking for approximately 40 more members to reach their goal of 300 volunteers by the end of 2015. This will ensure that all exceptional services offered by GHVA (both inside and outside our hospital) can continue to serve our community in an exceptional way. If you are interested in joining the GHVA you can contact Carmine Paterson, Manager, Volunteer Services at (519) 843-2010 extension 3206.
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
the wellington advertiser:
”We’ve always given to community groups” Since 1968, The Wellington Advertiser has been a leader in their commitment to our community. Over almost fifty years, the family owned business has been informing and connecting us; providing free newspapers to every home in Wellington County; evolving into the premier news source in our community. The spring of 2014, marked the beginning of an exciting time for Centre Wellington. While the “New Groves Hospital” Campaign was in its infancy, The Wellington Advertiser decided to do something transformative. After thoughtful discussions with his family and staff, the newspaper’s publisher, Dave Adsett, presented Groves Hospital Foundation with a $100,000 donation – the first gift Groves Foundation received towards the New Groves Hospital Campaign. “We’ve always given to community groups”, said Adsett “but this time we decided to commit to a larger goal and help the Campaign Cabinet and Groves Foundation with their marketing needs”. With almost half a century of communications and marketing expertise, the generosity and leadership of The Wellington Advertiser has launched a four year partnership with Groves Hospital Foundation as the official Media Partner for the “New Groves Hospital: Close to Home. Far from Ordinary.” Campaign. The Health care landscape is changing shape every day and as a community, we have an opportunity to advance health care to new levels.
“Fergus has been home to our family since 1892. The chance for a new hospital, built here to service this portion of Wellington County is very important to me”, said Adsett. “There is a peace of mind knowing care can be accessed quickly – particularly for those of us with aging parents or young families and with a new hospital on the horizon, I wanted to make sure every effort was made to ensure it happens”. Philanthropy is about investing in the wellbeing of others and The New Groves Hospital Campaign will be the second time The Wellington Advertiser has partnered with Groves Hospital Foundation to better the health and wellness of our community. Although highly unpublicized, The Wellington Advertiser was a significant media supporter in the 2003 Redevelopment Campaign. The generosity of The Wellington Advertiser’s $100,000 gift reflects our community’s strong belief in the importance of exemplary health care close to home. It also reflects our community’s willingness to invest in such a vital service. “Being recognized is not at the forefront of our actions”, added Adsett. “But we announced at our Christmas party that our company was committing to a significant donation that may result in naming an area of the new hospital. If our staff ever has to visit the hospital, I want them to be able to see a plaque and feel a sense of pride. Their efforts with us allowed our company to give back”.
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
”Throughout our lives, we will witness monumental acts of kindness” Tony and Gisele Marien have been happily married for over 65 years. As longtime residents of Fergus, they both value the services and staff at Groves Memorial Community Hospital. In December 2014, Groves Hospital Foundation received a generous donation from the couple in the amount of $250,000. They told us their donation is a lasting “thank you” to all the hospital staff and administration to recognize everything that Groves Hospital gives back to the community. When Tony was 72 years old, he suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Groves where he was immediately treated by the medical staff. He said he was treated with the utmost respect and highest standard of medical care. He has had no after effects and is now a happy and healthy 92 year old. The Marien Family shares a lifelong passion for travel and love for nature. “The Marien Roadtrip” was one of their favourite pastimes. As a family, they have traveled to places like the Rocky
Mountains, the Everglades, Rondeau Park, and the Atlantic Coast, to name a few. “[My parents] have a deep respect for those individuals and institutions that work hard to make their community a better place to live” said their son, Les Marien. “They feel very strongly about the importance of community and feel that individuals need to come together to contribute to making their community a better place. To them Groves Hospital is the perfect representation of community.” In their experience, the hardest part of being in the hospital is waiting. The Mariens’ generous donation will name the Diagnostic Imaging Waiting Room in the New Groves Hospital. They hope that with their donation, the waiting room will ensure that patients and their families are as comfortable as possible to lessen the stress of waiting.
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
We have the opportunity to do something really special here with this new hospital Dr. Peter and Susan McPhedran have been Centre Wellington residents for over thirty years. Susan taught at Centre Wellington District High School for many years. Peter was a founding partner of Family Practice Associates of Elora and has been on the medical staff at Groves Memorial Community Hospital since 1984. Two of their three children were born at Groves Hospital. “Groves is a unique rural hospital. The care here is absolutely excellent. The staff are all warm, friendly, caring people,” said Dr. Peter McPhedran. “Having a new hospital is absolutely critical for our community. We need a hospital facility that is modern and can accommodate new technology if we are going to continue to provide excellent patient care and attract new and world class physicians.” Recognizing the need for a new hospital in Centre Wellington, Dr. McPhedran decided to join the Groves Hospital Foundation
the groves foundation would like to express their gratitude to dr. peter and susan mcphedran
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Board of Directors over two years ago. “Being on the Foundation board made me realize the importance but also the challenges of raising $20 million,” said Dr. McPhedran. “Everyone needs to do their part if we are going to meet this goal within the community – that is why Susan and I donated.” Recently Susan and Dr. Peter McPhedran made their generous gift of $100,000 towards the New Groves Hospital Campaign. The spirit of philanthropy is the commitment to help one another; to voluntarily give where there is no obligation to do so. Together we can make a difference. The McPhedrans believe, “We are really fortunate to have such an excellent health care facility in our community and we have the opportunity to do something really special here with this new hospital.”
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
SCOTIABANK
”We are proud to be helping to build a stronger, more vibrant community” The Groves Hospital Foundation is delighted to announce that Scotiabank has pledged $100,000 to the New Groves Hospital Campaign. This is the 1st gift to the NGH Campaign made by a financial institution and the largest single gift made by a financial institution in the history of the Groves Hospital Foundation. This donation was championed by the employees of Scotiabank’s local Fergus branch and is the Bank’s largest gift to the Groves Hospital Foundation to date. “At Scotiabank we recognize the important role that the hospital plays to those in the area, and we are proud to be helping to build a stronger, more vibrant community through our donation to the Groves Hospital Foundation,” said Christine Stager, District Vice President, Ontario Central South District at Scotiabank.
Scotiabank’s leadership level donation will fund the Scotiabank Speech Language Pathology Program of the New Groves Hospital. The donation will enable the Hospital to provide the best possible healthcare to Centre Wellington’s newest generation for years to come. “At Scotiabank we believe that investing in young people is the path to community prosperity and we are confident that the Scotiabank Speech Language Pathology Program will make an important difference in the lives of many young people,” said Chris.
The groves foundation would like to express their gratitude to scotiabank
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
the W.C.>Wood family foundation
“Ensuring a lasting legacy of community service” The W.C. Wood Foundation is a charitable organization that makes philanthropy a way of life; it was established by the Wood Family in 2009 to ensure a lasting legacy of community service for the family and their employees. After thoughtful discussion and review of the New Groves Hospital Project, the W.C. Wood Foundation decided to do something transformative. The Wood Family unanimously voted to support the New Groves Hospital Campaign by making a $250,000 donation. The $250,000 gift will name the New Groves Hospital’s Day Surgery Unit. “The high standard of health care the hospital provides and the recognition that Groves has received over the years were important factors in making the decision to support the new build” said Susan Frasson, Wood Family Member and Board Trustee.
Over the last five years, Groves Memorial Community Hospital has received such awards as: the Service Award for Geriatric Excellence (SAGE), awarded to the Geriatric Emergency Management Nurses for excellence in Seniors Care, the Silver Award for Quality Healthcare Workplace, recognizing organizational efforts to improve the quality of health care and service delivery, and the Cancer Care Ontario’s Human Touch Award, honouring health care professionals and providers in the oncology department for demonstrating exceptional and companionate patient care. “[Groves] is a community hospital that provides Centre Wellington and surrounding areas with exceptional health care. The Wood Family has used Groves Memorial Community Hospital and we have always been pleased by the quality of care provided” Susan added.
The vision and dedication of our GMCH Staff have helped create a hospital that is renowned for exemplary patient health care. But we’re not finished yet. As a community, we have an opportunity to advance health care to new levels of excellence. Together, we hold the power to shape the future of health care in Wellington County. “It will be great to match the quality of the facility with the standard of care provided [at Groves] in a central location” said Susan.
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary. The groves foundation would like to express their gratitude to the W.C. Wood family foundation
Share in Our Story - A monthly feature from The Groves Foundation
TD bank group
”TD Has a Desire to See Communities Thrive”
TD Bank Group has always strived to make a lasting difference in the communities in which its employees and customers live and work. TD has a desire to see communities thrive, supporting over 5,000 community organizations to make an enduring impact. For the residents of Centre Wellington, the bank continues to be a leader in their commitment to Groves and to our community. Recently, TD announced a groundbreaking gift of $150,000 to the New Groves Hospital Campaign; the largest single gift by a financial institution in the history of Groves Hospital Foundation. As a community, we looked to TD to play a significant role in the New Groves Hospital Campaign. TD did just that; their financial investment to help build a New Groves Hospital goes far beyond philanthropy. They are creating a positive social impact, not only for the residents of Centre Wellington, but also for the medical staff working at Groves. By naming the two Education Services Rooms and the Medical Education & Medical Staff Facility, TD has ensured the continuation of medical excellence at Groves. The Medical Education and Staff Facilities will be designed to ensure acoustic privacy, allowing for a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to rural healthcare education.
“TD is proud to support the New Groves Hospital Campaign as it will significantly enhance local health care delivery,” said John Pollice, District Vice President, TD Canada Trust.
TD works to enrich our community by contributing to our social development. TD has provided the means to ensure there is also a public space available for the community to come together for meaningful discussions and educational sessions. By naming the two Education Services Rooms in the New Groves Hospital, TD has provided a platform for community enrichment through such seminars as “Doc Talks”, training sessions (such as concussion awareness), and stress management (e.g. yoga and meditation); all of which will benefit and be provided free of cost to our residents. TD’s generous gift demonstrates not only leadership, but a commitment to enhancing the education, health and wellness of our community. “The wellbeing of our communities is an important focus for us and this gift will help provide dedicated spaces to engage both residents and medical staff in on-going learning opportunities,” said Pollice. The groves foundation would like to express their gratitude to TD bank group
The New GROVES
Close to home. Far from Ordinary.