Your Stories

Paul & Terry Fahey: Investing Where It Matters Most

For Paul Fahey, Georgian Bay has never just been a place — it’s part of his story.

From summers spent in Tiny Township as a young boy to building a life rooted in this community, Paul’s connection to the region has grown and deepened over time. That connection came full circle in recent years, when he personally accessed care at Georgian Bay General Hospital — transforming his relationship with the Foundation from client, to donor, to grateful patient.

“Philanthropy within the local community is very important,” Paul shares. “GBGH is a vital resource, and one we all rely on more than we may realize.”

Together with his wife Terry, Paul believes strongly in supporting the institutions that make a community strong. For them, partnering with the GBGH Foundation is about more than giving back. It’s about standing behind a hospital whose leadership and staff are deeply dedicated to delivering high‑quality care, close to home.

That belief is what led Paul and Terry to contribute $50,000 to the We See You campaign, strengthening GBGH’s ability to meet the evolving needs of a growing community.

“The message of We See You resonated with me,” Paul explains. “I was a supporter before the campaign, but this felt like an opportunity to step up and support the priorities that matter most.”

To Paul and Terry, the message is simple and direct: exceptional care doesn’t happen by accident.

“If you want a first‑class hospital in your community, you need to support it in a meaningful way,” Paul says. “This campaign is our opportunity to do that — to invest in a hospital that makes us proud.”

Their generosity is grounded in a deep sense of responsibility, and gratitude.

“To whom much is given, much should be expected,” Paul reflects. “Supporting GBGH is about recognizing what we have here, and choosing to sustain it for others.”

In addition to their support of We See You’s highest priorities, Paul and Terry are also champions of innovation. This spring, they are proud supporters of the Foundation’s inaugural Innovate for Impact event on April 21, helping advance growth and innovation at GBGH — another example of their belief in building for the future.

And true to Paul’s thoughtful — and light‑hearted — perspective, he offers one final encouragement for those considering a gift of their own.

“Did you know studies show that philanthropists are happier and live longer?” he adds with a smile. “Just sayin’.”

Through their generosity, Paul and Terry Fahey are helping ensure that care close to home remains strong — not just for today, but for generations to come. And in doing so, they remind us all that when we invest in our hospital, we invest in each other.

Behind the Scenes in Pharmacy: How Donor Support Helps Deliver Safe Medication at GBGH

Every patient who receives care at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) relies on medications — and a dedicated team working behind the scenes to ensure those medications are prepared safely and accurately. For Jacquie Belcourt, Manager of Pharmacy at GBGH, that responsibility has been the focus of her career for more than two decades.

Jacquie Belcourt has worked in the GBGH Pharmacy for 21 years, including the past 20 as manager. Alongside a team of pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians, she helps ensure medications are prepared, verified, and delivered safely for patients across the hospital.

“Our work distributing medications touches every patient who comes through GBGH,” Jacquie explains.

From preparing oral medications to sterile compounds for injection, the pharmacy team plays a critical role in safe, effective care. When patients are admitted, registered pharmacy technicians meet with them to document the medications they take at home. That information helps physicians and nurse practitioners create safe and accurate treatment plans.

“I’m proud to be part of a team that plays such a critical role in patient care,” Jacquie says.

Supporting Patients When It Matters Most

While much of the pharmacy team’s work happens behind the scenes, its impact is deeply felt by patients and families.

Jacquie recalls one patient whose pain was difficult to manage, even using a patient-controlled analgesia pump. A pharmacist worked closely with the patient, their family, and the care team to modify medications and dosages to improve comfort — even coming in on their day off to ensure the patient felt supported.

“Knowing that our teamwork helps patients and families during difficult times is incredibly motivating,” Jacquie says.

Pharmacists also work closely with community pharmacies to ensure patients receive their medications quickly and safely after leaving the hospital.

A Pharmacy Built for Today’s Healthcare

Today, the GBGH Pharmacy team prepares more than 350,000 medication doses every year — but the space they work in wasn’t designed for modern hospital care.

“Our pharmacy was built in the 1970s for a staff of three,” Jacquie explains. “Today we have 23 team members.”

While the team has adapted the space over time to accommodate technologies that enable best practices, its size and layout can create challenges for a modern healthcare environment. A planned pharmacy renovation will create a purpose-built, modern space with a sterile compounding facility and secure narcotics storage that meet today’s highest safety standards. These improvements will help the team work more efficiently, reduce risks, and ultimately ensure patients receive the safest care possible.

The Difference Donors Make

Hospital funding does not cover equipment purchases or significant capital investment. Community generosity helps fill that gap, allowing hospitals like GBGH to modernize, grow, and continue improving patient care.

Because of donor support through the Foundation’s We See You Campaign, GBGH is building a future-ready pharmacy that can meet the needs of both year-round residents and the seasonal patients who rely on the hospital each year.

To the donors and community members who make that possible, Jacquie has a simple message:

“Please know that your generosity truly makes a difference every single day. We are so grateful.”

If you would like to support projects like the pharmacy renovation and help strengthen patient care at GBGH, you can learn more about the We See You Campaign at WeSeeYouGBGH.ca.