St. Marys Memorial Hospital modernizations underway as campaign goal reached

Work to modernize St. Marys Memorial Hospital is underway after its foundation announced this week it had reached its $3-million goal for the Here For You Today, Building For Tomorrow capital campaign.

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Having previously earmarked $2 million towards the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s roughly $7-million project to renovate the hospital’s east and west wings, the foundation launched its supporting capital campaign in the fall of 2021 with the goal of bringing its total contribution up to $5 million with the help of the St. Marys-area community.

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“We’re so excited to reach our goal. It’s been two years since we started this campaign in November 2021. …We have a great community, a supportive community and that’s what our hospital needs right now,” foundation board chair Cindy Bilyea said.

“The renovations are going on. They’re working on the east wing as we speak and it will be done spring of 2024, and then we will begin the west wing once the east wing is done.”

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The work included in the renovations involves upgrades to ducting and electrical, new headwalls and patient lifts in all patient rooms, barrier-free washrooms and a new mechanical system for the hospital’s isolation room.

Originally built after the Second World War in memory of those who served and died overseas, the hospital upgrades will boast significant quality-of-life improvements that will enhance health-care services for patients and help entice new doctors, nurses and other health-care staff to work at St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Bilyea said.

Bilyea credited this campaign milestone to the hard work and dedication of volunteers, the leadership of chair Ken McCutcheon and the generosity of community members. From local children raising money with lemonade stands to local businesses donating to the cause to local municipal councils committing their support, Bilyea said every contribution mattered.

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“This is absolutely outstanding, and a testament to the incredible leadership of the foundation and the wonderful support of our community,” Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance president and CEO Andrew Williams said in a press release.

Though the foundation has reached its campaign goal, it does continue to raise money for new and upgraded equipment at the St. Marys hospital, as well as health-care support services in the community. To contribute to and learn more about the foundation’s efforts to enhance and support health care in St. Marys, visit stmaryshealthcare.foundation and follow the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation on Facebook.

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