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The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation has purchased 22 acres of vacant land beside the hospital’s highway 93 location in Midland. The purchase was made by the Foundation in December 2019 after being notified of the opportunity in the fall of 2019. Acquiring this land enables the hospital to grow to meet future demands for health care services.

“Both the Hospital and Foundation Boards of Directors realized their responsibility in securing this property for the future stability of GBGH,” says David Turner, president, GBGH Foundation Board of Directors. “By making this purchase, the Foundation is investing in the future of the hospital, ensuring there is sufficient space when there is a need to expand.”

The Foundation was able to purchase the property in part due to the generosity of the late Gil Robillard and his family.

“We are extremely grateful to the Robillard family whose kindness is enabling the Foundation to invest in the future of healthcare for our community,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “At this time, there are no plans for construction on the property, but given the age and size of our existing building, we know there will eventually be a need to redevelop and expand on a single hospital site.”

“My dad was a visionary with great foresight,” says Susan Robillard, daughter of Gil Robillard. “He liked planning for the future, and the purchase of land to ensure future stability does just that.  We are glad the Foundation could use the Gil Robillard Fund to help ensure the future of healthcare for our community.”

Preliminary results from the GBGH’s master planning process indicates the size of the hospital will need to dramatically increase in the next 20 to 30 years. The existing hospital was built in 1976 and there is no existing vacant space in which to expand services. Through the Foundation making this investment in GBGH, it provides the hospital with significant growth potential – either to expand the existing building or construct a new building in the future.

The location and size of this land has many benefits when planning for future development. There is sufficient space to allow for a completely new build, which can be significantly less costly and more efficient than renovating an old, existing building.  Additionally, the hospital and the Foundation will not have to search for and purchase another suitable location elsewhere in North Simcoe. GBGH will be able to maintain this centrally-located, convenient and accessible site for decades to follow.



The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation recently held its first annual Staff Giving Celebration Week to recognize staff who donate to the hospital and encourage new donations. The celebration resulted in more than $22,000 in financial pledges from more than 85 staff members at the hospital.  The pledges are part of the GBGH Foundation’s Staff Giving Circle, which offers the opportunity to make bi-weekly or annual donations to support the hospital’s capital equipment and continuing education needs.

“There are many people – including some staff – who aren’t aware the government does not fund all the equipment used in hospitals,” says Nicole Kraftscik, executive director, GBGH Foundation. “This celebratory week allowed us to encourage conversations around the importance of community support to the hospital. This includes donations from within our hospital community, which are vital to the care we provide at GBGH and the sustainability of our hospital.”

Thanks to the generosity of two local realtors – Jim Hawke (Team Hawke Realty) and William Myles (Georgian Bay Live) – the GBGH team was also treated to lunch and breakfast during the week, as well as daily prizes.

“We are very fortunate at GBGH to have a generous community who want to give back – not only to our hospital, but to our exceptional team as well,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH.  “It was also a great opportunity for our team to see how generous businesses support the hospital in ways other than just financial donations. It certainly helped bring our people together throughout the week to learn how they can also contribute to their hospital.”

Members of GBGH’s Staff Giving Circle, which includes 100 per cent of the hospital’s senior leadership team, can direct their donations to funding equipment purchases, education or the area of greatest need for the hospital.  The third option provides the hospital with the flexibility to respond to urgent capital needs, such as when a critical piece of equipment suddenly breaks down.

“I am glad to be able to contribute toward the purchase of equipment for our hospital,” says Jolanda Winlove-Smith, a sonographer at GBGH.  “We are desperately in need of a new ultrasound, as our oldest unit is 14 years old. The cost will range from $220,000 – $290,000, and I’m proud to support this purchase along with my community. Having new equipment is not only important for quality, it also helps us attract and retain staff who want to work in a hospital with the best tools to provide patient care.”

Colin Aubrey

Colin Aubrey, Director

Colin Aubrey is a Portfolio Manager at Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management, responsible for institutional client service. Through this role, he has overseen several initiatives related to corporate social responsibility, improving workplace culture, as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion.

He participates on the Board of Directors for the CC&L Foundation and oversees sponsorships and strategic partnerships for CAMH Engage (the young professional’s Board, in support of the CAMH Foundation).

Colin holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Management, Economics, and Finance from the University of Guelph and is a CFA charter holder.

He has a passion for contributing to and improving the community in which he lives.

Adele Newton

Adele Newton, Director

Adele has been an active community member throughout her career – as a board member of organizations including Planned Parenthood of Kitchener-Waterloo in the 1980’s and, more recently, serving on the board of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Waterloo Region Chapter of Women in Communications and Technology. She co-founded LAUNCH Waterloo and produced Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky’s Girls in STEAM event in 2018 – both projects to ensure that young people, and especially girls, engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities.

Adele has a wealth of non-profit board experience, a passion for community outreach and an extensive track record of project and event management and production.

Adele currently works as a freelance writer and is developing a cookbook that will highlight the food and women of her family’s home province of Basilicata in southern Italy.

Danny Davis

Danny Davies, Director

Danny Davies has enjoyed a career which allowed him to operate in three countries, across a range of industries, in Consulting, HR and Executive roles. His most recent being the Chief People Officer for AVIVA where he retired from in 2023. His passion is for people to make a difference by being themselves and he believes all leadership roles have the privilege of making this happen. He’s been fortunate to have roles which have allowed him to do the things he cares deeply about; leadership, inclusion and leading major change.

Danny is a previous World & European Bridge Champion.  He lives in Tiny with his family: Helen, Dylan and Menna (and Scout).  

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John Bai

John Bai, CPA, CFA, ICD.D – Director

John is an accomplished financial services executive and experienced board member with deep knowledge of complex financial issues, executing transformational initiatives, navigating board and audit committees and accountability for performance of a significant business with responsibility for delivering strategic and operational excellence.

John is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer of Aviso Wealth Inc.  Previously, John held progressive leadership roles at RBC, most recently including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Transformation Officer at City National Bank in the United States.  John served on several non-profit boards and currently serves as the Treasurer of a California-based non-profit organization, EnCorps, which promotes STEM education in lower-income areas.

John believes that making a difference in his community is very important, and volunteering and serving on not-for-profits focused on education is central to his belief that education enables people to achieve their full potential.

John has been a seasonal resident of Penetanguishene for more than a decade. 

Older lady with medium length reddish brown hair wearing a white and blue top with a blue sweater

Mary Harvey, Director

Mary Harvey currently resides in Cedar Point, Ontario within her home community of Beausoleil First Nation.   Mary was born in Midland and lived on Christian Island for a time before relocating to Ravenna, Ontario where she eventually met her husband and started a family.   In 1988, Mary returned home to chimnissing with her husband and three children where throughout the years she pursued her entrepreneurial endeavors in hospitality and restaurant management, catering, and retail.   In 2016 Mary was nominated for female entrepreneur of the year with the Meridian Woman of Excellence Awards.

Mary is a proud member of Beausoleil First Nation and strives to represent her community well. In doing so she is currently a member of the board for Anishinabek Police service for chimnissing.   She is also an active volunteer for Crimestoppers of Simcoe Muskoka.

In her spare time, Mary enjoys baking and is known for her fantastic meat pies.  She can often be found spending time with her family and enjoying the company of her grandchildren.

A man with greying black hair in a grey zip up sweater

John Walker , Director

John grew up in the Midland area, attending Port McNicoll Public School and Midland Secondary School before pursuing his post-secondary education.  John obtained his law degree in 2006 and joined the law firm of Hacker Gignac Rice in 2007. John focuses his legal practice in the areas of corporate/commercial law and commercial real estate and is the current managing partner of HGR Graham Partners LLP.

John is a past President of the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Simcoe / Muskoka. He enjoys coaching his son’s minor hockey league team and is an avid boater, golfer, and weekend warrior hockey player.

Joe Rooney, Chair

Joe Rooney joined Langdon Equity Partners in 2024. He has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry including ten years at Burgundy Asset Management where he was part of the management team and responsible for leading the Canadian Private Client Group and the U.S Institutional Client Group.

Joe graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) in 2002 and received his Master of Finance from the Rotman School of Management in 2010. He was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2005. Additionally, Joe completed the Investment Management Workshop at Harvard Business School, the Artificial Intelligence:  Implications for Business Strategy Executive Program at MIT Sloan School of Management, and the Value Investing Course at the Columbia Business School.

In addition, Joe has over 15 years of experience helping non-profits manage their investment portfolios. He is the former chair and current member of the Investment Oversight Committee for Wilfrid Laurier University which oversees investment decisions on behalf of the school’s Pension Plan and Endowment.

Joe is a member of the Board of Governors of Wilfrid Laurier University and a member of the President’s Council for the St. Michael’s Foundation. He is also a member of the CFA Institute and the Toronto CFA Society.

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Jenna Dafoe, Vice-Chair

Jenna grew up in a small town in Southwestern Ontario and then moved around throughout the province while pursuing her education.  Jenna has lived in North Simcoe for 6 years and intends to remain in this community for many, many years.  Jenna has an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, studied at the Master’s level in Political Science, and obtained two Juris Doctor Degrees in Canada and the United States.

Jenna has been involved in many volunteer capacities throughout her life and many fundraising initiatives to benefit community organizations and incredibly important causes.  Jenna has been practicing criminal law in the Province of Ontario since 2015 and will be returning to her home office in Simcoe County in 2022.

Jenna has a passion for access to justice and access to healthcare, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community.  Jenna has followed the work of the Foundation for some time and has been very impressed with the community activism and the funds raised to purchase critical hospital equipment that enables community members to obtain the same quality of care as they would in a larger city.  Jenna is eager to assist in the overarching goals of the Foundation and to hopefully contribute to the positive impact the Foundation has in our community.

Man with short dark hair wearing a white shirt and a blue suit jacket

Jeff Holloway, Director

Jeff works at RBC Dominion Securities in Midland and joined RBC Wealth Management in 2014. In his current role, Jeff provides wealth management solutions to business owners, executives, professionals, and retirees.

Prior to working at RBC, Jeff was a partner at a leadership consulting firm and was a vice president at a Fortune 500 consulting company. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) while working for a multinational audit, tax, and consulting firm, he was the Controller at the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Jeff was born in Kitchener-Waterloo and spent most of his childhood living in Owen Sound.  He moved to the Midland area full-time in 2019. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honors degree in Mathematics (Computer Science). Jeff also holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation.

Jeff is very supportive of many worthwhile causes in our local community. Currently, he is the Treasurer for the Quest Art School and Gallery in Midland.

Glenn Keenan

Glenn Keenan, Director

Glenn Keenan is a longtime resident of Toronto and a lifetime cottager in Tiny Township. He is the father of two teenage sons, both born at Georgian Bay General Hospital.

Glenn is a Professional Engineer and holds a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto. He also has an MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies from Schulich Business School, York University. 

He is currently the Vice President of Marketing for Toromont Cat, a division of Toromont Industries (Concord), where he has had a 35-year career.  Glenn has strong financial acumen including managing a P&L, Balance Sheet, and Capital Budgets. He is skilled in strategic planning, business & people development, supplier & partner development, and management, and has change management training and experience. 

Glenn is an active member of several dealer councils, including currently Global Marketing and Sales Excellence Council.  He was active in the United Way of York Region, United Way of Peel Region, and is currently a voting member of the United Way of Toronto/York/Peel region. 

Part of a true Georgian Bay family, Glenn enjoys boating, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, and skiing, among other sports.

Jen Johnson

Dr. Jennifer Johnson, Director

Jennifer Johnson earned her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Queen’s University and then went on to obtain her medical degree from McMaster University. Her post-graduate studies in Family Medicine were completed at the University of Calgary where she obtained her Certification in Family Practice (CCFP).  In addition to caring for her family practice, Jennifer has assisted in the operating room (when on call) and treated inpatients at the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) in Midland for the past 27 years. She also worked regular ER shifts at GBGH up until 2018.  

Jennifer’s interest in primary care clinical research led her to enroll in the Master of Clinical Science program in family medicine as a part-time student at Western University in 2015. She completed this Master’s degree in 2020. Her ongoing research is inspired not only by the challenges patients face in obtaining healthcare, but also by the challenges healthcare providers face in delivering it. She is interested in all healthcare systems including hospitals and is motivated to help understand, support, and improve these important services. 

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys kayaking, cycling, skiing, and time with her husband, three children, and two dogs.   

David Wattling

Dave Wattling, GBGH Board Appointee

Dave Wattling is a long-time entrepreneur. He has built several consulting and technology businesses over the past 30 years, all focused on supporting healthcare, whether in Canada, the UK or the US. In 2011 he joined TELUS when his firm was acquired. After seven years he retired from corporate life and returned to his consulting roots helping owners to plan, structure, grow—organically and inorganically—and, if they wish, sell their businesses.

Dave is passionate about governance and presently sits on the Newmarket-Tay Power board as well as two private sector for-profit boards. He is equally passionate about volunteering in service to his local community. To that end, he chaired the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation board and sat on the Health Centre board from 2017 to 2021.

Dave was elected to the Georgian Bay General Hospital board in June of 2022, and cross-appointed to the GBGH Foundation board at that time.

Dave holds the ICD Certified Director and Certified Management Consultant (gold medalist) designations. In 2012, he was honoured to receive both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which recognizes significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, and ITAC Health’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, he was awarded the 150th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal for volunteer service to his community. In 2021 he received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award for his work with Southlake.

Dave is in transition to his retirement home in Port McNicoll, a process he expects to take a couple of years. He is an avid traveler and motorcyclist, and soon-to-be boater!

Long dark haired woman in a a white dress shirt

Katie Houston, Past-Chair

Katie Houston is a sessional lecturer and PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Passionate about equity, engaging local communities, social change and advocacy work, her research interests include the use of sport as a tool for social impact and international development. Focused on connecting people and pushing them to think more deeply about their responsibility to their community, Katie comes to the board with substantial fundraising and community organizing experience having previously worked in private sector fundraising for the UN Refugee Agency and Rugby Canada.

Born at Georgian Bay General Hospital, Katie’s connection to the both the local and seasonal community runs deep. A life-long cottage resident, Katie splits her time between Toronto and Thunder Beach – though her heart remains firmly on the shores of Georgian Bay regardless of where she is. Her connection to these communities, most especially Thunder Beach and Cedar Ridge, will allow for her place on the board to bring about new connections, placing the needs of the hospital at the centre of these conversations. 

Happiest outside or on the water, Katie is most often found enjoying Georgian Bay by boat with her husband Max, daughter Blake and their corgi puppy, Bash, or exploring new hiking and biking trails through Simcoe County Forest and Awenda Provincial Park.