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GBGH Foundation purchases land to secure future development space for hospital

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.

Staff at GBGH pledge $22,000 for equipment & education at the hospital

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.”