2021 Report to Community
Responding in extraordinary times
As Nova Scotians and the rest of the world grappled with the swift and dramatic effects of COVID-19, everyone quickly realized who our essential workers and frontline heroes were. They kept grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies open, transported supplies, and provided vital services to those in need. Among those heavily relied upon were health care professionals and support staff.
“When the pandemic was declared the Foundation was anxious to do something,” says Executive Director, Michelle Ferris. “Although we were able to switch to remote work from the safety of home, our colleagues were holding the frontline at the hospital.” Nova Scotia Health staff began planning for the pandemic in January 2020 and continue to diligently manage the present while preparing for the future. As part of the planning, an equipment list was generated that would support COVID readiness for the initial crisis and future waves.
In June of 2020 the Foundation reviewed and rapidly approved more than
$300,000 in funding for equipment to provide additional COVID-preparedness for our community.
A Mask Fit Tester was among the equipment rapidly approved for funding in 2020. All staff must be tested annually to ensure proper sizing and seal for optimal protection. The Foundation funded an additional unit to deal with increased demand for testing.
Top photo: Health Services Managers pictured left to right: Hollie Cameron O’Laney, Aberdeen Hospital Emergency Department; Kerry Heather, Site Lead, Aberdeen and Sutherland Harris Hospitals; Katy Macdonald, Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management; and Debbie MacDonald, Palliative Care and Women & Children’s Health.
Your generosity is making a difference
Every donation to the Aberdeen Health Foundation helps to fund equipment and enhance health and wellness programs here in Pictou County.
This report highlights some of the many changes and initiatives made possible by your support this past year. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and contribution to our Foundation and the well-being of our community.
Consistent, reliable health care funding
Before, during, and after the COVID pandemic, this is your Health Foundation. It was created for you, your family, friends, and neighbours. It began over 30 years ago with a vision of making it easier to provide high quality health care in Pictou County.
As we washed our hands and “stayed the blazes home” in 2020, nothing was easy. We witnessed considerable bravery and kindness. Barriers to good health have never been more visible. Mental health is on everyone’s mind. The uncertainties and pressures on the people and systems providing health services are pronounced.
From medical equipment to community health programs, the Aberdeen Health Foundation is ready to provide support through this extraordinary time. The Foundation understands its role as a consistent, reliable funding partner for health care. It’s what we’ve done for over three decades and will continue to do for generations to come.
To our generous donors, this dependable financial support starts with you. You are change makers for those who work in the health system and champions for those who rely on health care and community programs. With deepest gratitude, we share some of their stories in our Report to Community.
Robyn Eaton, Chair
Before, during, and after the COVID pandemic, this is your Health Foundation. It was created for you, your family, friends, and neighbours. It began over 30 years ago with a vision of making it easier to provide high quality health care in Pictou County.
As we washed our hands and “stayed the blazes home” in 2020, nothing was easy. We witnessed considerable bravery and kindness. Barriers to good health have never been more visible. Mental health is on everyone’s mind. The uncertainties and pressures on the people and systems providing health services are pronounced.
From medical equipment to community health programs, the Aberdeen Health Foundation is ready to provide support through this extraordinary time. The Foundation understands its role as a consistent, reliable funding partner for health care. It’s what we’ve done for over three decades and will continue to do for generations to come.
To our generous donors, this dependable financial support starts with you. You are change makers for those who work in the health system and champions for those who rely on health care and community programs. With deepest gratitude, we share some of their stories in our Report to Community.
Robyn Eaton, Chair
2020 Board of Directors
Hilary Amit, Past Chair
Susan MacConnell, Interim Vice Chair
Heidi Jamieson-Mills, Treasurer
Lisa MacDonald, Secretary
Jeffrey Burrows
Cheryl Fraser
Janice Fraser
Rae Gunn
Clinton Keay
Melissa Jackson
Heather MacDonald
Harry Munro
Sean Murray
Valerie Ryan
Dr. Chakshu Sharma
Frank Sobey
Marsha Sobey
Mark Wiseman
2020 was incredibly challenging ~ and inspiring
If you’ve ever been responsible for proofreading a large document, you may know the experience of no longer really seeing what you’re reading. That was the case as I breezed through this report one last time. And then, there it was. Right at the bottom of the financial commitments, $1,499,792.
Since joining the Foundation in 2018, there have been many times when I’ve appreciated the wisdom of the organization’s founders, but not as profoundly as in this moment. When I reflect on last year, and the challenges I’ve heard from leaders of other agencies – uncertain of their ability to raise dollars on par with the past, I am filled with gratitude for the Foundation’s strong, stable endowment. This continuous source of funding has allowed us to enhance health care in our community precisely when it was needed most. When I thought of that number in relation to the year that was 2020, my heart skipped a beat.
Michelle Ferris, Executive Director
1 Celebrating a critical team
Gratitude Garden
In the summer of 2020 the Foundation and Aberdeen Hospital Auxiliary partnered to create a Gratitude Garden as a way to recognize health care workers.
The community was invited to paint rocks with messages for hospital staff as a way to show support. The rock pictured above was painted by Elisa Rutledge.
We have a Virtual Gratitude Garden on our Facebook page, sharing photos of painted rocks with fun and encouraging messages, showing support and gratitude for hospital staff.
In 2019 Cathy Boswell slipped and took a tumble with severe consequences. Following exceptional experiences at the Aberdeen Hospital Emergency and Physiotherapy Departments she expressed her appreciation with a donation to the Foundation’s Gratitude Program.
During physiotherapy she met and worked exclusively with Kaitlyn Higgins, a recent graduate from Dalhousie University. “She was so attentive and thoughtful,” says Cathy. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the care.”
Good news stories are easily overlooked and the dedicated people at the heart of our health care system often go unnoticed. The Aberdeen Health Foundation Gratitude Program provides a way for patients and their families to recognize staff with a tribute gift that can be directed to a particular department or area of care.
Invaluable therapy, care and support
Wayne Vacheresse wrote this about the Aberdeen Hospital Music Therapy program and therapist, Kelsey MacDonald. “She gave Virginia and I strength to do the legacy program and leave my loved ones a part of me that will always be with them.” Sadly, the world lost Wayne in 2020 after a courageous battle with ALS. As valuable aids in his difficult journey, he wrote that the health care system and teams were extremely helpful for his physical health; and music therapy was invaluable in all other areas of his well-being.
The Aberdeen Hospital Music Therapy program, funded in part by the Foundation, provides patients and their families with end of life care and support. Therapy can involve relaxation, evoking reminiscent conversation, anxiety reduction, and legacy projects.
Impacting health care with latest technology
When Foundation, Chair, Robyn Eaton co-signed a cheque to Nova Scotia Health in late 2020, she was visibly moved by the significance of the moment. She could see clearly how the vision of the Foundation’s founding members is being sustained and realized. The amount was close to $1.5 million. In that moment, she was struck by how donor generosity combined with decades of effective financial stewardship was directly impacting health care in the community.
The funding was used primarily for a new CT scanner for Aberdeen Hospital that was approved in 2019 and installed in 2020. The scanner is critical for accurately diagnosing what is happening inside the body and determining appropriate treatment.
“The scanner provides the most recent technology in CT scanning,” says David Quann, Director of Diagnostic Imaging for Nova Scotia Health, Northern Zone. “It’s faster and offers many more tools for the radiologists to use in diagnosis. Patients are exposed to less radiation, and faster scanning means a more comfortable procedure with shorter breath holds. This will make a real difference for radiology staff and patients alike.”
Thank you
for being there.
The Foundation would like to express profound gratitude to everyone who has worked tirelessly to provide essential services and keep life as normal as possible for the rest of us during these difficult times. You are truly the best.
Our 2020 Funding
| Medical Equipment | |
| COVID Support | |
| Post Anesthesia Monitors, Ambulatory Infusions Pumps, Fit Tester | $269,876 |
| Women & Children’s | |
| Fetal Monitor, Radiant Warmer, Antenatal Ultrasound & Incubator | $157,151 |
| Optical Coherence Tomography (Eye Clinic) | $102,550 |
| Cuddle Beds (Palliative Care Unit) | $102,000 |
| Surgical Skytron Bed (Operating Room) | $73,913 |
| Endoscopy Drying & Storage Cabinet | $66,659 |
| Ultrasound (Emergency Department) | $58,000 |
| Electrocardiograph Machines (Cardiology) | $49,224 |
| Medical Equipment (Various Depts) | $310,883 |
| Sub-total Medical Equipment | $1,190,256 |
| Population and Mental Health Programs | $102,819 |
| Music Therapy, Oncology Patient Fund & Other Health Programs | $119,205 |
| Medical Professional Recruitment | $80,000 |
| Continuing Education | $7,512 |
| Grand Total | $1,499,792 |
from prior year over accruals.
Everyone is welcome
Aberdeen Health Foundation Annual General Meeting
Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Due to public health social distancing restrictions and protocols this will be a virtual event.
Join us for “Lessons from COVID-19”
From caring for our region’s first COVID patients, to tackling the uneven impacts of the disease, we’ll explore how responsive innovation has served us and will continue to help us change health outcomes for the better.
Link to meeting: aberdeenhealthfoundation.ca/AGM2021
Michelle Ferris, Executive Director
Deelle Hines, Administrative Coordinator
Aberdeen Health Foundation
835 East River Road, New Glasgow NS B2H 3S6
902-752-7600 ext. 4600
Find these stories and other good news for health care in Pictou County at: aberdeenhealthfoundation.ca/report2021