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,
Executive Director
Arleen Stevens has been the Executive Director of the Health Services Foundation 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 Executive Director of the Health Services Foundation 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.
Danielle Brinson,
Finance Officer
For a love of the ocean and a connection to a vibrant community, Danielle resides in the beautiful Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia. She has joined the team in January of 2018 as Database Finance Officer – now Finance Officer. With a passion for working in the not for profit sector and meaningfully impacting community members she looks forward to serving you.
902.543.8065
For a love of the ocean and a connection to a vibrant community, Danielle resides in the beautiful Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia. She has joined the team in January of 2018 as Database Finance Officer – now Finance Officer. With a passion for working in the not for profit sector and meaningfully impacting community members she looks forward to serving 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.
Melissa Patterson,
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
Melissa joined the Health Services Foundation team in January 2021 as the Executive Assistant/Office Manager. From the Noel Shore to the South Shore, Melissa has been working with South Shore Regional Hospital for the since 2005 and shifted into this role to help create a more positive and meaningful impact on the community that she now calls home.
902.543.8065
Melissa joined the Health Services Foundation team in January 2021 as the Executive Assistant/Office Manager. From the Noel Shore to the South Shore, Melissa has been working with South Shore Regional Hospital for the since 2005 and shifted into this role to help create a more positive and meaningful impact on the community that she now calls home.
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.
Rebrand and Marketing & Communications Strategy
Our Foundation is part of the beating heart of Nova Scotia's vibrant South Shore community. For over 30 years, the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore (HSFSS), together with its volunteers and donors, has been dedicated to a singular and unwavering mission of ensuring that the best healthcare environment is available to the residents and visitors of our region.
As set out by our communication audit and the Foundation's latest strategic plan, Better Health for All, the HSFSS is due for a rebrand. Let's work together to develop our new identity.
For more information and deadlines for submission, please download the file below.
