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Local restauranteur donates more than $28,000 in meals for hospital staff

Staff from the Rehab & Physiotherapy team at GBGH give a wave of thanks for one of six meals provided to Georgian Bay General Hospital by Phil Karpathios & his staff from Phil’s Casual Dining and Phil’s Pub & Eatery.

On Friday, May 15, the staff working the evening shift at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) were treated to a dinner of lobster tails, prime rib sliders and garlic mashed potatoes thanks to the incredible generosity of Phil Karpathios, owner of Phil’s Casual Dining in Penetanguishene and Phil’s Pub & Eatery in Midland.

This was one of six meals Phil and his staff have prepared and delivered to the hospital since April 15, 2020.  In addition to the fine dining dinner menu, the restaurants have provided eggs benedict with bacon & sausage for breakfast, a selection of wraps and salads for lunches, and chicken souvlaki, schnitzel, fish & chips and a variety of pastas for dinner.  In total, the meals donated have a retail value of $28,200.

“The front line staff put themselves at risk while keeping us safe and there are not enough words to express my gratitude and appreciation,” says Karpathios. “We are happy to be able to provide a weekly meal to the staff of GBGH while we are in this situation.”

Staff at the hospital expressed their gratitude, thanking Phil for his kindness and praising the delicious food.

“We have been very moved by the generosity and support of the community during this time and specifically and have been amazed by the meals we have received from Phil’s,” says Crystal Handy, recreation therapist at GBGH. “Knowing there have been delicious lunches awaiting us, inspires and gives us a much needed boost each week.  It is extremely heartwarming to see how the community is truly standing beside us through this pandemic.”

Phil’s restaurants remain open for take-out and delivery.  Phil’s Casual Dining in Penetanguishene is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.  Phil’s Pub & Eatery in Midland is open 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

GBGH COVID-19 Response

GBGH has already taken many steps to prepare for the growing pandemic, including establishing the COVID-19 Midland Assessment Centre in partnership with Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and Chigamik Community Health Centre. We have also cancelled non-urgent procedures, implemented visitor restrictions, and are finalizing thorough plans to re-deploy staff and other resources to critical areas as needed.

In planning for our hospital’s pandemic preparations, we carefully review provincial and regional case projections to determine what we need to continue providing safe, exceptional care in a surge situation.

GBGH’s current capacity includes 6 ICU beds and 4 ventilators.  We are in the process of increasing our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity. We will care for potential COVID patients in our existing ICU and create a separate ICU surge space for non-COVID patients. This means equipping this area with:

• 5 additional beds
• 20 additional IV pumps
• 5 additional patient monitors
• 2 Pyxis machines (locked medication dispensing carts)
• 1 mobile medication cart
• A call bell system (system that links patients to the nursing station)

We are also purchasing an additional mobile medication cart, 30 vital sign monitors to be used in the areas where they are needed most, more personal protective equipment (PPE), and taking measures to support staff wellness.

This critically needed equipment and other initiatives will cost well over one million dollars.

To help support your hospital’s investments to prepare for COVID-19, please click here.