SSRH MRI Addition Shines New Light on Foundation’s Campaign Commitment

Categories: News Bytes

The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore’s Board of Directors and staff are thrilled with today’s announcement of a MRI for South Shore Regional Hospital.

The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner will be a part of the South Shore Regional Hospital Redevelopment Project, announced in April 2020 by the Nova Scotia government, which will include the expansion and renovation of the emergency department, endoscopy and day surgery units, physical plant and the addition of a dialysis unit.

“Access to a MRI is a service our community, and the entire South Shore, have been wanting for a long time,” said Eric Whynot, Chair of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore’s Board of Directors.

“The Health Services Foundation is very excited to see this project come to fruition through the ER Redevelopment at South Shore Regional Hospital, as it will be an integral part of our forthcoming capital campaign.”

The addition of the MRI to the SSRH Redevelopment Project brings the Health Services Foundation’s capital campaign goal to $5-million.

“The announcement of the MRI for South Shore Regional Hospital has definitely added another level of excitement as we continue to plan and prepare for what will be the Foundation’s largest campaign to date,” said Arleen Stevens, Executive Director of the Health Services Foundation.

“We are currently organizing our leadership team for our capital campaign,” Stevens adds, “and will have details to share in the months to come.”

Since 1993, the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore has raised funds to support healthcare equipment and services at South Shore Regional Hospital, Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital and associated healthcare sites.

Radiothon 2021 Prevails Through Pandemic Pivot

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Not even a global pandemic could hold back the generosity of the residents of the South Shore.

By the end of the 12-hour broadcast, the 2021 Gift From The Heart Radiothon on CKBW and Country 100.7 had surpassed its goal, raising $200,106.04.

The 11th annual Radiothon raised funds in support of a new Ophthalmic Microscope for the Operating Rooms at South Shore Regional Hospital.

“The current microscope is well over 10 years old and is at the end of its life,” said Arleen Stevens, Executive Director of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore. “The Health Services Foundation and its Radiothon organizing committee are thrilled the community embraced all the changes we had to make to this year’s fundraiser in light of COVID-19. It truly shows how passionate residents from across the South Shore are about having the best healthcare available, essentially in their back yard.”

To keep in compliance with COVID-19 regulations, the Radiothon wasn’t held inside the regional hospital for the first time in its history. Instead, the event expanded across Bridgewater, to include the radio stations, an in-person donation area at South Shore Centre, a drive thru donation option at the Bridgewater PetroCan, as well as a satellite donation centre in New Germany, hosted by the local Lions Club.

The Ophthalmic Microscope will be funded with $147,000 of the funds raised. It will replace the current microscope, which is used in over 1,000 cataract surgeries, completed annually on the South Shore. The remaining funds will support the next piece of equipment needed by the Operating Department.

In 11 years, the Health Services Foundation’s Gift From The Heart Radiothon has nearly raised $1.4-million to support a variety of essential healthcare equipment at South Shore Regional Hospital! This feat would not be possible without the amazing support of our local community and Acadia Broadcasting Bridgewater.

21st West Nova Fuels Curl for a Cause Thrives Virtually

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Even with all the changes, the efforts of our community raised just over $44,660 towards a new bus for the Veterans’ Unit at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital! That is very impressive considering the circumstances!

In 21 years, the West Nova Fuels Curl for a Cause has raised over $700,000 for the community hospital.

The annual bonspiel has now purchased & supported 90 pieces of equipment/services for various departments within Fishermen’s.

Will Power: The Fox’s

Categories: Your Stories

As we grow up we daydream of where life and our future career will take us. For Jim Fox*, his military career took him from Bedford, Nova Scotia, across Canada, with his Carolyn, from LaHave. But there was never a doubt these two Bluenosers would return to the East Coast one day and plant their roots on the South Shore.

Jim says once you’re on the South Shore you are part of the community. “As a member of the community you put your shoulder into making your community better. By definition, our hospitals are the community. What goes on inside the hospital involves the whole community in one way or another so if you want to actually contribute and promote where you live, then the hospital is a logical place to support.”

Within a year of settling into their 200-year old home, nestled in the outskirts of Mahone Bay, the Foxs began giving back to local healthcare through Carolyn’s volunteer work in the palliative care unit at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. “I started volunteering and then we ended up using both Fishermen’s and South Shore Regional as patients. We can’t say enough about the wonderful help we’ve received at both hospitals.”

Over the years the Foxs have made numerous donations to the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore, whether in memory of a friend or in support of a campaign. “I don’t think we ever really ‘thought’ about it giving to the hospital,” Carolyn notes, “it just seemed like the natural thing to do. We want to see new equipment in our community hospitals.”

When it came time for the couple to redo their will, the Foxs decided to include the Health Services Foundation as one of the beneficiaries. “As we were considering our options we simply asked ourselves where we could put our money that would make an impact,” says Jim. “We chose the hospitals through the Foundation because they have the broadest reach. And honestly, the Foundation knows how to spend money our hospitals needs better than we do. I have faith in the organization so we will give them as much money as we can allocate.”

Jim and Carolyn just hope others think of their “local” when planning out their final donations. ”Nowadays the older population is more active than ever and will rely on local healthcare for more years, As long as they have their health they are doing things which will generate more of a need for strong, local healthcare. People need to think of and give to their local hospitals and their Foundations.”

*Jim Fox has since passed since this story was published. The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore is grateful for his generosity and kindness.

Will Power: The Tatlows

Categories: Your Stories

John & Dolce Tatlow know what they want from life. They knew they loved each other. They knew marriage was in their cards. They knew the moment they saw their dream retirement home in the Chester area they wanted to make the South Shore home. But when it came time to face the task of creating their wills, it was hard to know how to start the conversation.

“We started to talk about our final wishes in our fifties, which is young. Where we don’t have children, we had to be a bit more careful about where things ended up and how they will be divided. It’s time consuming. It takes a lot of thought,” says Dolce. “We wanted to leave it to somewhere where it would be used for future generations.”

Dolce acknowledges it was her husband John’s enthusiasm for the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore that made it clear where their final donation should go.

“Being a past board member and chair of the Foundation’s Planned Giving Committee made it sort of easy,” John reminisced. “We were already donors. We already approved of the Foundation’s work and how it raised money. My work enlightened us on the needs of local healthcare and inspired us to set an example for others.”

The couple had both received several procedures and a medical emergency which led them to South Shore Regional Hospital. John wanted to give to the Health Services Foundation as a way to say thanks. “It’s all very well to have doctors and insurance but if doctors don’t have the tools, the diagnostics, the utensils they need; their hands are tied. And to us that’s what the Foundation does: provides tools that are in need. We are fortunate to have this on the South Shore. People need to support what they have.”

After years of working in the financial sector, John points out a move by the federal government to make it easier to give shares, with capital gain, to charities like the Health Services Foundation, was a turning point in his charitable ways. “You avoid paying income tax on that donation twice. In general it costs me half to give using stocks, which you can do in your will.”

For Dolce, leaving a final gift in your will to local healthcare is a no-brainer. “Local healthcare keeps us alive – what would we do without it? We are users. The older we get, the more we are going to use it. People may not know it today but they are going to really need the healthcare that is provided on the South Shore one day. Support it. Whether through an annual gift or your will: support it!”

Will Power: Irene Hirtle

Categories: Your Stories

Needless to say in Irene Hirtle’s 38 years of nursing, she has seen a lot. Since becoming part of the Palliative Care team at South Shore Regional Hospital in 2003, the now-retired nurse has seen many of her patients in the final days of their lives.

“The end of life and the beginning of life are very special times which is why I have been passionate about trying to allow people to have the end of life experience they want. We must consider the patient’s needs and their family’s needs – whether it’s physical, emotional, spiritual, or their well-being.”

Hirtle makes no bones about the strain that can come from working in Palliative Care, where you’re constantly dealing with death. But to her it was all about reframing the situation. “Instead of focusing on the death, I always tried to see where things went well for the patient; where did they or their family get to share a moment, were they able to find comfort – that’s what I focused on. “

She notes the importance of seeing a lot of her clients talk with their families about their final wishes and plans of care while in her department, though there are those that find this too difficult. “It’s always helpful when patients let loved ones know what their final wishes are, yet it is their decision as to what they let be known,” says Hirtle. “We encouraged people to decide about their plans of care, their decision makers, and encourage them to make other end of life arrangements, such as a will. It can provide a sense of comfort for the patient and their family. I wanted our clients to know it’s purely about their wants and needs. They need to be the captain of their ship; we were there to help and be their supportive crew members.”

Working in Palliative Care can put your mortality in perspective and the value of every moment. Hirtle often thinks of her will. She also thinks about the impact people can make locally that truly can change the future of healthcare on the South Shore. From trying to fund books for Palliative Care to giving to the Rose Fund, fundraising for the Health Services Foundation has become part of Hirtle’s life. “I love the fact donating to the Health Services Foundation keeps the monies and invests in healthcare on the South Shore. The money doesn’t go away to be put in one big pot. The money stays right here and helps people we all know.”

“Whether you’re in the middle of your life or at the end, people should consider giving to the Foundation because it makes a lasting difference,” says Hirtle. “It can go on and support so many lives and change the future of our local healthcare. We all can be a part of the change and make a positive difference.”

Will Power: The Joudreys

Categories: Your Stories

Avan and Lisa Joudrey, as well as their children Emma and Alex, are known for being everywhere; for being cheerleaders in their community. Whether through work, school, or volunteering, the Health Services Foundation holds a special place inside the hearts of the New Germany family.

“Working in the hospital, I get to see firsthand what the Foundation puts back into the hospitals,” says Lisa. “During my time on the maternity ward we needed bassinets, heart monitors, and several pieces of equipment that the hospital just didn’t have the money for. The Foundation helped make the equipment a reality.”

So it was natural when the husband and wife team started to discuss their wills they wanted to leave behind, something to make a difference in the community they love so much.

“We knew we needed to have a will but how do you start the conversation, especially when you’re younger and you feel like you’re going to live forever? We decided to put a bit of money aside to leave a legacy in our community, which the hospitals are the centre of,” says Avan.

“After speaking with Arleen at the Foundation,” Lisa notes, “we talked to our children about it so they understood our wishes to give back to local healthcare. If you think about it, you plan for a headstone, for your mortgage to be paid. For us it was just as important to leave a legacy with an organization that supports our hospitals. Healthcare helps everyone. We might not be able to give a whole lot but it’s something.”

Avan says while it’s an odd conversation to have, working out your will can be a good feeling. “Just knowing if something happens to us, our children are going to be looked after and it’s all going to be laid out for them, it’s kind of a feeling of security. So why not just do it?”

Will Power: The Veinots

Categories: Your Stories

The Veinots family roots run deep, spanning the entire South Shore. Gladys started a family on the outskirts of Bridgewater with her husband and son Malcolm, who served as a long-time employee of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg. The family has had many dealings with local healthcare over the years, from childhood illnesses to losing the man they called father and husband.

“He spent his 85th birthday in South Shore Regional Hospital,” Gladys recalls. “They even let us have a room to celebrate his birthday in, away from his bed. They allowed us to spend a lot of family time together when we needed it. Having access to healthcare, basically in our backyard, has been very important to us. The doctors and staff really take care of you to the fullest of their abilities.”

Malcolm & Gladys Veinot believe there comes a time in everyone’s life when they start to consider what’s important to them and how they can help make it better. Malcolm, who has used a number of services at South Shore Regional Hospital says he gives because he can see the need for additional health services here in Bridgewater. “We give any way we can, whether it’s our monthly donation or a donation to Radiothon – we want to give back. Leaving a final donation in our wills for the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore is just a great way to say one last thanks.”

Making decisions to update their wills was neither easy nor hard for the Veinots; it was just reality. “We’re all going to have a last day on earth, you may as well make it easy for those left to fulfill your wishes. An estate without a will can be a nightmare! In this day and age,” Malcolm says, “healthcare should be one of everyone’s top priorities. We need more doctors, they need up to date facilities; you need up to date facilities too, even if you don’t know it yet!”

Healing Our Community – Doctors Day 2021

Categories: Your Stories

After volunteering at a local church, Graham Rains came home feeling unwell.

“I developed chills and a fever. Of course the first thing I thought was ‘uh-oh I got COVID’.”

As the Crousetown man’s symptoms worsened, Rains found himself in the Emergency Department at South Shore Regional Hospital, facing some life-altering decisions.

“Dr. Paul Soloman let me explain my story and after examining me and my leg, he returned with a surgeon and explained my options. I had a flesh eating disease that could have been the end of me or my leg.”

A short time later, Rains was in recovery after surgery to his leg. “The next thing I knew there was a nurse telling me to look down at my leg. I didn’t want to as I didn’t know if it was there or not but then I saw my toes sticking up and I was pretty sure the leg was still attached!”

“I specifically remember my surgeon, Dr. Edward Joy, asking me to do one thing for him. He told me I couldn’t just sit there and feel sorry for myself, that I had to make a plan to occupy my mind and heal. He was right and I appreciated that advice.”

Rains spent a total of 90 days at South Shore Regional Hospital recovering, gaining insight and respect for all the staff in the hospital. “From the housekeeping staff to the food services staff (honestly the hospital has the best pizza on the South Shore) to the nurses and doctors; the care in Bridgewater is as good of care as you can get anywhere.”

Rains is continuing to heal at home, where he lives with his wife Myrna. He still returns to Bridgewater to be cared for by Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lisa Dickson.

“I would like to thank Dr. Soloman, Dr. Joy and Dr. Dickson. They are so professional and competent yet still very caring. I really do respect what the front line staff are going through these days. I thank them for all they have done for me and they have my greatest respect.”

The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore would like to recognize and thank all the physicians who serve the South Shore. The Health Services Foundation and NOW Lunenburg County’s partnership helps support the physician recruitment and retention efforts of Nova Scotia Health.

Investing In The Future: The South Shore Health Bursary

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*2022 application available soon. To view 2021 application click here*

You’re in your final year of high school and you’re trying to decide what to do with your life.

You’ve hit a wall in your 9-5 and want to make a career out of giving back to those in your community.

Making the decision to pursue a career in health care is a bold and selfless move. A move that the South Shore Health Bursary is here to support.

In the bursary’s 15 years it has helped 119 South Shore residents finance their education in a health-related field.Of the 119 bursary recipients, 85 trained to become Registered Nurses (RNs), 26 became certified Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and one trained to be a doctor and is currently practicing in Lunenburg.

On top of investing in the futures of those in our community, the bursary has a return-for-service agreement ensuring all recipients come back and return a year of service at a South Shore hospital for each year they received financial support.

Meghan Ernst of Lunenburg was a recipient of the South Shore Health Bursary and is now a proud Registered Nurse on the Women’s & Children’s Unit at South Shore Regional Hospital.

“The South Shore Bursary Program gave me a sense of security and peace throughout three years of schooling while I pursued my career. Not just financially, but with the bursary’s return-for-service agreement, it ensured I had work at either South Shore Regional, Fishermen’s Memorial or Queens General hospitals once I graduated. How many students can say they have secured work as soon as they complete university?”

Since 2006, the South Shore Health Bursary has invested nearly $550,000 into the future of health care professionals in both Lunenburg & Queens Counties. The bursary is a proud partnership of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore, the South Shore Regional Hospital Auxiliary, the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Queens General Hospital Foundation and a committed supporter in the community.