Immediate Release
April 15, 2019 – Although the Port Severn location of the Muskoka Community Health Hub didn’t develop as planned, generous donors Conrad and Donna Huber – with the assistance of the Township of Georgian Bay – are still committed to investing in local healthcare.
The Hubers made a donation of $21,000 in 2015 to purchase 14 items for the health hub, including an examination table, procedure light, infant and adult weigh scales, electrocardiogram (ECG) unit, vital signs machine, ear flusher, calibration syringe, spirometry kit (for testing lung function), otoscope (for looking into ears) and fetal doptone (to listen to a heartbeat during prenatal care).
“We are thrilled to receive these tools from the Township of Georgian Bay and the Huber family,” says Marnie Lightfoot, director of Patient Care at GBGH. “Much of the equipment was purchased for use during routine examinations in a primary care setting, but we have many areas that can put it to good use, such as the Emergency department, Obstetrics, Respiratory Therapy, the Operating Room and Ambulatory Care.”
When funding for the Port Severn location was withdrawn in 2017, the Township of Georgian Bay discussed options with the Hubers. As both the township and the Hubers wanted to see the equipment remain locally, they decided to offer it to GBGH – ensuring it would still enhance healthcare in the hospital’s catchment area which includes the southern part of the Township of Georgian Bay.
“The Township is really a middle man in all of this, but we are so delighted the Hubers have chosen GBGH as a new location for all of this essential, high quality equipment,” says Peter Koetsier, Mayor of Georgian Bay Township. “Together, we are making the most out of a situation we could not control. Making sure our residents have access to this equipment for acute care made this hospital a perfect choice.”
Contacts:
Jennifer Russell
GBGH Foundation
705-526-1300 ext. 5339
russellj@gbgh.on.ca
Jennifer Schnier
Township of Georgian Bay
705-538-2337 ext. 259
jschnier@gbtownship.ca