Your Stories

Golfing for GBGH

Glenn Howard is a four-time world champion curler, and has been curling professionally for more than four decades. He is also one of the most kind and friendly, down-to-earth people around.  And, when he’s not on the ice, or spending time with family, he can be found swinging his irons on the golf course.  

In 2016, Glenn put his love for golf to work for his local Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH). The first Glenn Howard Charity Golf Tournament in support of the GBGH Foundation was strongly supported by Urbacon Inc, a full slate of golfers, a great committee of volunteers, and raised an incredible $105,900.   

Since then, the annual tournament has raised an additional $546,000, helping to purchase vital equipment for various areas of the hospital, and to expand the surgical services offered in our community.  It is Glenn’s passion for giving back and investing in local health care that continues to be the driving force for the event.  

“We all rely on our hospital…our whole community does,” says Glenn. “It’s a privilege that we get to help give GBGH what they need to diagnose and treat our friends, families and neighbours. We couldn’t do it without the support of our incredible business partners and sponsors, who put so much in to making this tournament so beneficial for GBGH.” 

In 2023, the tournament will be celebrating a new 5-year partnership with Tom Smith Chevrolet Buick GMC as the Title Sponsor.

“Glenn & his committee put on an amazing event for GBGH each year,” shares Steve Jacklin, owner, Tom Smith Chevrolet. “We are excited to partner with Glenn and the GBGH Foundation for this event.”

The annual tournament is sold out year after year, but Glenn and the tournament committee are looking for like-minded individuals to help out at the event, or in the weeks leading up to it.  Anyone interested in learning more can contact Victoria Evans, Community Giving Officer (evansv@gbgh.on.ca).  This year’s tournament will take place at the Midland Golf & Country Club on Friday, July 14, 2023.  To learn more, click here.

DOC Talk: Dr. Nicholas Lougheed

We asked GBGH Chief of Radiology, Dr. Nick Lougheed, about the recent announcement about how an MRI at GBGH will impact our community.  

Please tell us 2-3 sentences about you as a physician.

I am a partner with Georgian Radiology Consultants, and I have been working at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) for eight years. I grew up in Barrie and my father was a physician at GBGH. After I completed my medical training, I came home to Barrie, and now split my time between GBGH and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVRHC).   

What is the best part about being a radiologist?

Radiologists get to work with the latest technology and get involved in all aspects of medicine. There is never a boring day.  

Tell us a bit about MRI technology and how it differs from CT technology?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) are complementary technologies. MRI excels at imaging of soft tissues and is the gold standard for imaging of joints, spines and brains. CT is a quicker scan, and very useful for staging cancers, and examining bone fractures or internal injuries, but many disease processes invisible to the CT scanner are easily seen with MRI.    

What does having an MRI at GBGH mean for our community?

Investing in MRI technology at GBGH will help bring care closer to home for thousands of patients every year providing them with the highest standard of medical imaging technology.  It will mean shorter wait times for MRI exams and service both locally and across our region. Installing an MRI at GBGH will not only make GBGH a centre of excellence in medical imaging but will allow GBGH to attract a wider variety of specialist physicians and surgeons who require MRI exams for patients in their practice.  

How important is it for you and your team to have an MRI at GBGH?  

We want the best care for every patient – which means, using the right technology to ensure a fast, accurate diagnosis.  Our team at Georgian Radiology Consultants recognizes the investment that the community must make to purchase this vital piece of equipment, and we are pleased to commit $100,000 to the campaign.   

If you would like to learn more about the MRI, or make a donation, please click here.