Since 1993, the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore raised necessary funds to enhance and improve the quality of health care services and equipment at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater and Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.
These two hospitals are crucial to Nova Scotia’s South Shore, delivering care to approximately 100,000 people and receiving over 200,000 visits annually.
Donors can give through the Health Services Foundation to meet the needs of the hospitals; the Foundation prides itself in being accountable to its donors and its community. Gifts can be designated to a specific program or service. Assuring the wishes of a donor are carried out is a responsibility the Foundation takes very seriously.
The affairs of the Foundation are guided by a Board of Directors, composed of volunteers with diverse interests, expertise and backgrounds from various South Shore communities.
Foundations are an important part of Nova Scotia’s health system, not only for their financial support, but also for the link they provide between hospitals and the community. The relationship is based on trust, good will, and a mutual desire to help.
Mission, Vision and Values
Our Mission
The Foundation’s mission is to bring our South Shore community together, to invest collectively in medical equipment, innovations, programs, professionals and technologies that will help deliver Better Health for All.
Our Vision
We envision a healthy and thriving South Shore community with accessible, exceptional healthcare services for all…a community in which our Foundation inspires the philanthropic spirit in everyone, invests in community health and health care innovations, embraces diversity, helps create a community in which health professionals love to live and work, and helps empower residents to achieve their very best health outcomes.
Our Values
We are guided by a set of core values which drive our commitment to improving the lives of those who live on the South Shore.
Arleen Stevens,
CEO
Arleen Stevens has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore since 2002. Arleen comes from a fundraising background having worked for Saint Mary’s University, The IWK Foundation and The Abilities Foundation. Her role with the Health Services Foundation has expanded to include Major Gifts Development and Planned Giving.
902.543.8065
Arleen Stevens has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore since 2002. Arleen comes from a fundraising background having worked for Saint Mary’s University, The IWK Foundation and The Abilities Foundation. Her role with the Health Services Foundation has expanded to include Major Gifts Development and Planned Giving.
Kerri Scheuermann,
Manager, Community Relations
With a passion for building connections and strengthening communities, joined our team in Fall 2024. Bringing experience in communications, marketing, and event coordination, Kerri is dedicated to fostering partnerships and engaging with the South Shore community to support the Foundation’s mission. Originally from Northern Ontario, Kerri has embraced life in Nova Scotia for the past seven years, currently residing in beautiful Middle LaHave, and looks forward to making a meaningful impact in her role.
902.521.9522
With a passion for building connections and strengthening communities, joined our team in Fall 2024. Bringing experience in communications, marketing, and event coordination, Kerri is dedicated to fostering partnerships and engaging with the South Shore community to support the Foundation’s mission. Originally from Northern Ontario, Kerri has embraced life in Nova Scotia for the past seven years, currently residing in beautiful Middle LaHave, and looks forward to making a meaningful impact in her role.
Melissa Patterson,
Development Officer
Melissa joined the Health Services Foundation team in January 2021 as the Executive Assistant/Office Manager and has since grown her role to become a Development Officer. From the Noel Shore to the South Shore, Melissa has been working with South Shore Regional Hospital since 2004 and shifted into this role to help create a more positive and meaningful impact on the community that she now calls home.
902.541.0532
Melissa joined the Health Services Foundation team in January 2021 as the Executive Assistant/Office Manager and has since grown her role to become a Development Officer. From the Noel Shore to the South Shore, Melissa has been working with South Shore Regional Hospital since 2004 and shifted into this role to help create a more positive and meaningful impact on the community that she now calls home.
Danielle Brinson,
Manager, Legacy Giving
For a love of the ocean and a connection to a vibrant community, Danielle resides in the beautiful Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia. She joined the team in January of 2018 as Database Finance Officer – now managing the Planned Giving portfolio. With her passion for the nonprofit sector and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives, she looks forward to meeting you.
902.521.7649
For a love of the ocean and a connection to a vibrant community, Danielle resides in the beautiful Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia. She joined the team in January of 2018 as Database Finance Officer – now managing the Planned Giving portfolio. With her passion for the nonprofit sector and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives, she looks forward to meeting you.
Martha Marchand,
Physician Settlement & Retention Coordinator
As the Physician Settlement and Retention Coordinator, Martha’s focus is working with the Physician Recruiter for the South Shore to make it easy for doctors to visit here and stay here! Originally from Toronto, Martha has called the Maritimes home for almost 30 years. Prior to joining the HSF team, she worked in the private sector in Human Resources for more than 15 years. Her passion for supporting her community and building positive relationships makes her the right person to lead this file.
902.930.1029
As the Physician Settlement and Retention Coordinator, Martha’s focus is working with the Physician Recruiter for the South Shore to make it easy for doctors to visit here and stay here! Originally from Toronto, Martha has called the Maritimes home for almost 30 years. Prior to joining the HSF team, she worked in the private sector in Human Resources for more than 15 years. Her passion for supporting her community and building positive relationships makes her the right person to lead this file.
Tonya Foster,
Finance Officer
With a strong background in financial administration and a commitment to supporting local healthcare, she joined the team as a Finance Officer in June 2025. Tonya is proud to contribute to the Foundation’s mission of improving health and well-being on the South Shore. She values the opportunity to make a difference in her community and is excited to continue serving the area she knows and loves.
902.543.8065
With a strong background in financial administration and a commitment to supporting local healthcare, she joined the team as a Finance Officer in June 2025. Tonya is proud to contribute to the Foundation’s mission of improving health and well-being on the South Shore. She values the opportunity to make a difference in her community and is excited to continue serving the area she knows and loves.
JR White,
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
With over 20 years of experience working in social services in Toronto, JR is very excited to be back in their home Province of Nova Scotia on a new adventure. JR joined the Foundation in June 2025 and is looking forward to bringing their experience and skills to the team. They are happy to have found a role that fits with their values and that supports continued work in the charitable non-profit sector.
902.543.8065
With over 20 years of experience working in social services in Toronto, JR is very excited to be back in their home Province of Nova Scotia on a new adventure. JR joined the Foundation in June 2025 and is looking forward to bringing their experience and skills to the team. They are happy to have found a role that fits with their values and that supports continued work in the charitable non-profit sector.
We're excited to share our latest strategic plan, which follows the remarkable success of our Brighter Days capital campaign. With input from our invaluable community stakeholders, we're committed to helping create a vibrant healthcare environment that serves everyone's needs.
