Comings, Goings, and A Successful Year Were Key Highlights at NHH Foundation’s AGM

• June 24, 2021
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MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
June 24, 2021

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY – Impressive news and upcoming changes were shared at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) Foundation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the evening of June 23, 2021. Topping the excitement was the announcement that despite the challenging times throughout the 2020-21 fiscal, community support of the Foundation did not waver, with more than $3 million raised to help fund priority medical equipment and technology at NHH.

“Faced with the uncertainty of the pandemic, I am astounded by what I witnessed over the past year from both our Foundation team and supporters – agility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, dedication to the critical mission of NHH Foundation, and of course, outstanding generosity towards our hospital,” remarked Jeff Gilmer, outgoing Chair of the NHH Foundation Board of Directors.

In addition to reflecting on past success, the remarks shared by speakers at this virtual meeting also looked to the future, touching on upcoming changes to the Board, the Foundation staff team, and NHH leadership.

With Gilmer’s term as Chair coming to an end, the Board Executive – consisting of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Past Chair – will have new leadership moving forward. For the 2021-22 fiscal, Gilmer will be moving to the Past Chair role. Moving into the role of Chair will be Wendy Ito, who joined the Foundation’s Board in 2013 and has served the past two years as Vice-Chair. Gavin Ivory, who joined the Board in 2017, will move from Treasurer into the Vice-Chair Role, and the role of Treasurer will be filled by Ian MacVicar, who joined the Board in 2020. Biographies for all Directors can be found at www.nhhfoundation.ca.

After thanking the Board and Foundation team for their support during his two years as Chair, Gilmer acknowledged the proposed Executive Team, who were appointed later that evening to their roles during the first meeting of the 2021-22 Board of Directors immediately following the AGM. He stated his confidence in their ability to lead, saying he has no doubt, “the Foundation is certainly in good hands for the coming years.”

Gilmer also took time to acknowledge both the amazing staff as well as the dedicated leaders at NHH who continue to provide exceptional care in difficult circumstances. He observed this pandemic has been a reminder of both how important a hospital is in its community, and likewise, how important a community is to its hospital.

Acknowledging the announcement earlier this year that NHH President and CEO, Linda Davis, will be retiring in August 2021, he congratulated Davis on her many accomplishments during her time at NHH, stating, “Her tireless efforts have meant a great deal to the organization and NHH has come a long way under Linda’s leadership. Her support has contributed greatly to the success of the Foundation and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

In addition to changes amongst the Board of Directors, remarks by Rhonda Cunningham, Executive Director of NHH Foundation focused on recognizing many people who work to support the efforts of NHH Foundation. This included a special tribute given in recognition of the upcoming departure of Leadership Gifts Officer, Adrienne Burns.

“Over the ten years Adrienne has been with us, I only ever heard positive comments on her performance, her professionalism, and the quality of her work,” shared Cunningham after reviewing some of the contributions and efforts led by Adrienne during her time with the Foundation. “She came to learn, she never stopped learning, she herself became a mentor and teacher to many, and she also became a friend and valued colleague to our team and to Board members past and present. We wish nothing but the best for her as she embraces her new management role with a hospital foundation in her home community.”

Thanking her staff team and Board for their support over the past year, Cunningham concluded her remarks by looking to the future and the upcoming Exceptional Community, Exceptional Care campaign. Alluding to the recent announcement that this campaign is set to be the largest in the history of Northumberland County and NHH, she recognized the amount of work and dedication required to ensure success.

“With our volunteer leadership and the support of our community standing with us, we will help our hospital provide the best care possible to the citizens of west Northumberland,” stated Cunningham. “It is an honour to do such meaningful work that makes a difference in the lives of patients and their families.”

As part of the evening’s agenda, greetings were also shared from NHH Board of Directors by NHH Board Chair, Pam Went; from NHH Auxiliary by Auxiliary President, Marg Hilborn; and from NHH Chief of Staff, Dr. Mukesh Bhargava. In line with the Board’s By-Laws, the Audited Financial Statements as at March 31, 2021 were presented and accepted, auditors were engaged for the current fiscal, and the annual Election of Directors was presented.

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