X-Ray Suite added to Diagnostic Imaging upgrades at HHHS thanks to a generous community
Friday, November 1, 2024
Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation’s Campaign Chair Tayce Wakefield announced
today that with a second gift of $500,000 from the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest, and the
incredible generosity of the entire community, the “Here for You in the Highlands” campaign has
been a huge success, exceeding the initial $4.3 million goal for CT, Mammography, new Ultrasound,
Picture Archiving Communications System and related technologies, raising $6,225,000 to date –
enough to also provide for an urgently-needed new x-ray suite.
Haliburton Forest’s Managing Director, Malcolm Cockwell, said, “The importance of the Diagnostic
Imaging Campaign’s objectives was clear to our group from the first discussion with HHHS:
increasing the capability and capacity of the hospital is critical to the well-being of our employees,
clients, their families, visitors, and all other residents in the region. This resulted in our initial gift at
the beginning of this campaign.
“Over the last few months, the generosity of the community has been astounding: large gifts and
small gifts together have enabled this immensely positive investment in our local health services.
The generosity of the community is such a clear demonstration of the importance of this initiative,
that we are motivated to make a second gift.”
“On behalf of my colleagues at Haliburton Forest and the other members of the Cockwell Family, I
am pleased to share that we will be doubling our initial gift of $500,000 by contributing an
additional $500,000 to the HHHS Foundation in support of the Here for You Diagnostic Imaging
Campaign,” stated Cockwell.
Wakefield said, “We appreciate the generosity of the Cockwell Family and Haliburton Forest for
taking us “over the top” with their second gift; the incredible support from over 650 donors; and the
leadership of the volunteer Campaign Cabinet (Greg Bishop, Kurtis Bishop, David Blodgett, Michael
Harrison, Peter Henry, Pat Kennedy, Klara Oyler, Keith Sjögren, Roger Trull, Dale Walker) who have
worked so hard to make this campaign a success.”
Foundation Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong said, “In mid-September, Christine Tutssel and
Rob Holl announced that they would match all gifts to the end of October up to $500,000. This has
inspired more donors and we are pleased to announce that their matching challenge has been fully
met.”
“It has been such an incredible campaign, with the breadth of support from the community
including the amazing group of volunteers I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Without them, this
would not have been possible, and definitely not at the speed at which it was accomplished.”
Haliburton Highlands Health Services CEO Veronica Nelson said, “Adding these diagnostic imaging
technologies and services is the first step forward in our plans to build capacity in and expand
healthcare services in the County. Our community deserves access to excellent local care. We
thank every donor for their support in helping us optimize health and wellbeing in the County.”
HHHS Foundation Board Chair David Blodgett said, “With the province requiring the community to
fund the majority of capital investments, the Foundation’s core purpose is to work closely with the
community to raise the necessary funds to support and enable HHHS to better serve healthcare
needs for acute care, long-term care and community services. This campaign’s record-breaking
success has broadened our donor base and raised funds like never before and we look forward to
working with all of our donor partners to build on this success as we forge ahead. We thank
everyone who treasures the time they spend in the Highlands for their support.”
Haliburton County Council Warden Liz Danielsen said, “Improving healthcare locally is an
important enabler for community, social and economic development. County Council voted to
support this campaign because we recognized the benefit of keeping our emergency services close
to home and to providing a foundation of broad-based support. Because of this new technology, our
EMS teams have improved response times to local emergencies by 28% (CTAS1), assuring
residents that more ambulances are readily available across the county. Working together, we are
able to build a healthier community.”
*Total funds raised include gifts pledged and received for the campaign. For further information,
please contact Foundation Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong at mklodtwong@hhhs.ca