By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
To raise $25-million for Northumberland Hills Hospital’s Exceptional Community Exceptional Care campaign – during an international pandemic and the economic hard time that followed it – would have been extraordinary.
But the big reveal at Saturday’s announcement was that they had exceeded that amount, and raised $26.3-million.
The news came at a garden party on the lawn east of the hospital, where campaign chair Hank Vandermeer recalled how it all started with a visit from representative of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation.
“Back in January 2021, I was approached with an incredible opportunity. Wendy Ito and Rhonda Cunningham came to my dealership with a request I could not have anticipated.”
The goal then was to raise $20-million over five years – though they had already raised $3-million of that before they approached him. The goal was later raised to $25-million by the time the campaign had its public launch in May 2023 at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre (at which time, $18-million had already been raised).
“I understand how vital it is to have a strong well-equipped hospital. The hospital has been there for me and my family.
“The hospital is only as strong as the community it stands behind, and let me tell you, our community is very strong indeed,” Vandermeer said, listing that donation had come from 5,600 individuals, 51 bequests, 36 other foundations and 106 service organizations.
“$26-million is no chicken feed,” he declared.
“It’s only because of your generosity and dedication that we achieve this success.”
Foundation Chief Executive Officer Cunningham said this was the largest fundraising campaign in the community’s history, exceeding even the campaign to build the hospital, which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary. That campaign was launched back in 2000 with a $12-million goal. They ended up raising $15.6-million.
The tent for the celebration stood in the field where Cunningham had stood June 19, 2000, during a visit by then health minister of the day Elizabeth Witmer.
“She sat in a backhoe in the very first ceremonial dig,” Cunningham added.
Many milestones followed, such as the 2008 acquisition of the community’s first MRI machine. And booming population growth in West Northumberland has swollen the numbers served by NHH.
President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh shared some statistics just from the past year.
5,493 patients admitted (up 9%)
532 newborn deliveries
40,022 emergency visits (up 6% – the first time NHH has exceeded 40,000 visits in a single year)
67,742 diagnostic-imaging tests (up 5%)
5,955 patients receiving surgery (up 2%)
463,557 tests (up 11%)
47,319 mental-health visits (up 27%)
Monies raised to date have already begun making an impact, funding such projects as a new Integrated Stroke Unit, introducing new digital health records and upgrading the meal-delivery system to ensure patients get their meals at the optimal temperature.
Looking ahead, this success will make it possible to replace both the MRI and CT scanners, build and equip a fourth operating room, expand and centralize the Intensive Care Unit, and redevelop both the Pharmacy and Medical Device Reprocessing Department.
“Today we gather here to celebrate a monumental achievement,” Chief of Staff Dr. Mukesh Bhargava said.
“This goal is a testament to our collective generosity, and it’s not just our collective generosity but a beacon of hope and possibility for the future of our community.
“We need to meet the growing needs of our community with a place where every patient receives the highest standard of care and where innovation and passion are combined. Thanks to your unwavering support, that vision is within reach.”
Dr. Bhargava said this accomplishment encourages those at NHH “to dream bigger, because we know we can count on you.
“To our health-care professionals, your dedication, even in the face of challenges, is truly inspiring.
People say this is a hospital with a good feel, so thank you for that.
“Our patients too are the heart of the hospital. You come here in your time of need. The courage in the face of illness inspires us every day,” he said.
“The campaign is dedicated to our patients, to ensure you receive the best possible care in a facility equipped to meet your needs.
“Looking at the future, I want all of us to see this hospital not just as a place for healing but a symbol of what we can collectively achieve.”
