The Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation presented a cheque for $500,000 to Grey Bruce Health Services for things such as new medical equipment and staff education.
The funds were earned in the foundation’s endowment during 2018.
Endowment donors helped provide new medical equipment across nine different hospital departments for a new cast saw in ambulatory care, renovations and ceiling lifts for the Cardiac Care Unit, and a number of pieces of laboratory equipment.
The endowment fund has provided the hospital with more than $5 million over its 23-year history. It started with a modest $20,000 back in 1998.
Tom Foster of Markdale was on hand to present the cheque to GBHS Interim President and CEO Maureen Solecki and Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Mike Marriott.
In 2005, Foster established an endowment in memory of his wife Helen to support continuing education and training of nurses.
"We started Helen’s fund with a few small contributions and I donated each year," said Foster. "More recently, I purchased a life insurance policy, which will eventually contribute significantly more. Helen recognized a need to help nurses with specialized clinical training. I’m so proud to see her fund supporting nurses on the front lines of hospital care each year – I know Helen would be pleased."
Hundreds of will bequests and other legacy gifts have been added to the fund and permanently invested. A portion of the proceeds earned supports new equipment at the hospital every year.
"Generous people entrust us with their legacy gift. It’s their accomplishment," said Charitable Giving Advisor Willard VanderPloeg.
The Emerging Needs Fund contributed $360,000 towards the hospital’s most urgent needs for equipment.