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A deeply personal gift is now supporting lifesaving care at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), thanks to the generosity of long-time volunteer and community supporter, Lois Lipton.

 

Inspired by the passion and dedication of Dr. Andi Jones, Lois recently funded the purchase of a GlideScope for the hospital’s Emergency Department, an essential piece of equipment that helps care teams manage patients’ airways quickly and safely in critical moments.

Lois has been part of the GBGH community for more than two decades, volunteering in the Emergency Department since 1999. Her gift was made in memory of Dr. Andi Jones, whose impact on the community continues to be deeply felt.

Their connection was rooted in shared experiences — from volunteering together and living nearby, to time spent at the marina and connecting through everyday moments. When Dr. Jones passed away, Lois knew she wanted to honour her in a way that reflected their shared commitment to health care.

“I wanted to do something to honour Andi and also provide support to the Emergency Department, which is near and dear to my heart, and where I first met Andi,” said Lois. “I wanted to help the staff that are saving lives and need the best tools and equipment available. And, if it provides an inspiration to others to give, that’s even better.”

After reaching out to the Foundation to ask where support was needed most, Lois learned the GlideScope was a current capital priority — and her response was resolute: “Let’s do it”.

Gifts like this are a powerful reflection of the We See You campaign — a shared commitment to ensuring patients, families, and care teams feel supported, respected, and cared for at every stage of their healthcare journey.

“We are incredibly grateful to Lois for her generosity, her compassion, and her commitment to GBGH,” said Victoria Evans, senior key relationships officer, GBGH Foundation. “For more than two decades, she has given her time as a volunteer in the Emergency Department, building meaningful connections with patients and staff. She has also supported the Foundation in many ways, including as a volunteer and a very kind and thoughtful donor. This gift is such a beautiful reflection of who she is — someone who sees the needs of those around her and chooses to make a lasting difference.”

PHOTO: Members of the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Emergency Department celebrate the arrival of a new GlideScope, funded by Lois Lipton (second from left) in memory of Dr. Andi Jones.



On Tuesday July 2, 2024, The Weber Foundation presented major gifts to thirteen local charities, totalling $22.5-million. The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation was honoured to receive $3.3-million at the invite-only event, held at the Midland Cultural Centre (MCC).

The Weber Foundation was established in 1997 by Reinhart and Alexandra Weber. Over the past 27 years, the Foundation had donated more than $28-million to local charities, including more than $2.1-million to GBGH. These gifts have had a profound impact on health care in our community, through investment in equipment, technology, education and capital developments.

“The Weber Foundation was an integral partner in the redevelopment of the Emergency Department, giving patients a much more comfortable arrival to our hospital and the space needed for our clinicians to support them. When GBGH needed a new Ophthalmoscope to ensure our surgical teams can provide gold standard eye care during cataract surgery, the Weber foundation stepped up to provide the funding to purchase that equipment. They have made a lasting impact at GBGH.” – Matthew Lawson, President & CEO, GBGH.

The gift received on July 2nd will build on the legacy of The Weber Foundation today, and well into the future.  $833,333 will be invested in the newly named ‘Weber Foundation Endowment Fund’ marking the first contribution toward future new hospital expansion.  This allows for $2.5-million to be dedicated to addressing the highest priorities at GBGH, including building a new acute mental health program.

“The Weber Foundation has enhanced health care in every part of our hospital. This investment for the future is going to benefits patients for generations to come, and we are thrilled to celebrate this lifetime of philanthropy as we build an acute mental health program, and, following that, a new hospital.” – Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation.

In the first year since the gift, the GBGH Foundation has been able to invest in significant equipment upgrades for GBGH, including a Urology Laser for Surgical Services, a Chemistry & Immunochemistry Analyzer for the Lab and a specialized MRI ventilator.

The impact of these new pieces of equipment will be felt by the patients and care teams at GBGH for many years. Being able to offer urology surgeries locally will mean shorter wait times, and better outcomes for hundreds of patients every year, while having an MRI ventilator will ensure safe scans for those on life-support. The Lab Analyzers perform 90% of all the lab tests at GBGH, so this investment will benefit tens of thousands of patients annually.

With the launch of the We See You: Inside & Out capital campaign in 2025, and the hospital’s commitment to building an acute mental health program, the Weber Foundation will impact the lives of thousands of individuals who will have better access to urgent, acute mental health support close to home. 

The Foundation – and everyone at GBGH – is profoundly grateful to the Weber Foundation for this incredible gift for our entire community.

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Jeff Holloway, Director

Jeff works at RBC Dominion Securities in Midland and joined RBC Wealth Management in 2014. In his current role, Jeff provides wealth management solutions to business owners, executives, professionals, and retirees.

Prior to working at RBC, Jeff was a partner at a leadership consulting firm and was a vice president at a Fortune 500 consulting company. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) while working for a multinational audit, tax, and consulting firm, he was the Controller at the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Jeff was born in Kitchener-Waterloo and spent most of his childhood living in Owen Sound.  He moved to the Midland area full-time in 2019. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honors degree in Mathematics (Computer Science). Jeff also holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation.

Jeff is very supportive of many worthwhile causes in our local community. Currently, he is the Treasurer for the Quest Art School and Gallery in Midland.