Your Stories

John Blaicher

Dear GBGH Team,

This past Monday morning (July 16) around 7:30 am, I embarked on an unplanned trip by ambulance, followed by a 5 day stay in your hospital. After spending several hours in Emerg, I eventually ended up spending the rest of my stay in room 241 – bed 4.

While I am certainly NOT in a hurry to repeat my experience and come visit you anytime soon, I was totally impressed and actually blown away by the high level of compassion, professionalism and genuine personal interest in my case and the medical care I received while at GBGH. From the Fire Dept. staff who responded to my wife’s 911 call, followed by the ambulance attendants who transported me to Emerg, to the Emergency team of nurses and doctors, the staff in X-ray and CT, and especially to all the staff that took such good care of me in room 241.

However, it wasn’t just me that everyone was taking good care of, it was all the patients in every room and every wing.

That is why I’m writing this letter and addressing it to the GBGH Team! Thanking only those I came in contact with would hardly seem fair because I saw dozens of nurses, nurses in training, doctors, cleaning staff, volunteers, technicians, admin personnel, food services staff, etc. who were all engaged in helping take excellent care of us – “the patients”.

So, the very least I could do is take a moment and simply say ‘THANKS!’ Thanks for the great care you provided me during my stay, but more so, thanks for the important day-in, day-out care you give to the thousands of patients that arrive at your doorstep throughout the year and over the decades.

While I was certainly happy to be discharged late Friday afternoon, I came away from my experience with a whole new appreciation for our health care system, GBGH and more importantly, the cast of individuals who dedicate themselves to keep it running 24/7. YOU ARE AWESOME!

If I hear anyone criticize our healthcare system now or in the future, please know that I have your back and they will get an ear full.

Thanks again and please keep doing what you are doing because we “the patients” need and appreciate you, even if you don’t hear it as often as you should!

Sincerely,
John Blaicher

Alan & Alison Fryer

The Comfort of a Good Community Hospital

Alan Fryer was introduced to the Georgian Bay area in 1956 when his parents had a family cottage built in the Sawlog Bay area. Eighteen years later, Alan and his wife Alison bought a property in the area and have enjoyed many years at their weekend retreat from a big city lifestyle. For the last few years it has been their permanent residence.

By way of background, for a number of years Alan had the honour and pleasure of being a member of the Board of Governors of a Toronto regional hospital. Through that experience, he garnered a deep understanding of how hard hospital staff at all levels work, as well as the importance of the Foundation in raising sufficient funds to cover the capital costs of purchasing, maintaining and upgrading all the equipment necessary to operate at maximum efficiency.

Over the years, the Fryer family have made use of the Emergency department at GBGH and appreciate how they have always received great care. Also, their current primary care provider maintains privileges at GBGH. “It’s a comfort that we have such a good hospital in the community,” Alison says.

In 2017, Alan & Alison made a generous gift to the GBGH Foundation, supporting annual equipment purchases and funding the renovation of a patient room through the Adopt-a Room project.

Alan acknowledges there are many factors that inspired their gift giving, including a personal, life-saving experience, but the Fryers also cite other factors – compassion, trust in the organization, altruism – to name a few.

As Alison adds, “it just makes us feel good.”

Thank you Alan & Alison for your commitment to exceptional care.