New Breast Cancer Technology Making a Difference

At the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, we recognize the trust our donors place in us. Put simply, they want to know that their donations are truly making a difference. So, when we are able to follow up on a piece of equipment we funded and hear about the positive impact it’s making, we jump at the chance!

In the spring of 2024, fundraisers were held with all proceeds going towards the cost of a MOLLI® system (more than $102,000). An innovative piece of equipment, this technology helps surgeons remove lesions in the breast more efficiently and with increased patient comfort. Recently, we were able to speak with Dr. Chris Murphy – and he had only good things to say. “I’m not an early adopter of new technology, I’m usually hesitant. I knew they were starting to use the MOLLI® system across the province, and I didn’t really think about it too much. But when we started using it, I immediately saw how good it was.”

A man demonstrates a piece of medical equipment to a woman. They stand in a hospital hallway.

Dr. Chris Murphy demonstrates the MOLLI® Wand to Mary Surette (Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Managing Director).

Keeping up with the times is always very important in the healthcare field, and this system’s status as an upgrade is without question. “I’ve been here since 2008, and we’d been exclusively using wire localization up until we moved to the MOLLI® system,” Dr. Murphy tells us. “This used to rely on a wire being passed through the breast. You’d look at the films with a radiologist and say, for example “Ok, the tumor is about 8 cms in.” But when they’re putting in that wire, they’re often compressing the breast to do it — and then when the patient is on the operating table, the breast is no longer compressed. So, you always had to kind of guess where to best make your incision.”

But now, precision is the name of the game in a way it never was before. Surgeons can localize the area of concern more accurately, and Dr. Murphy’s face lit up when discussing the difference. “It’s just so much more precise. This means less dissection and less surgery. So, it’s better for me, and it makes it easier for the radiologists to plan their day.”

That’s all well and good, but the best thing about the MOLLI® system is how much better it works for the patient. Dr. Murphy remembers how it used to work. “The old wire localization method always made for a long and stressful day, with the patient having to wait around for hours with wires in their breast until they could get in the OR. But now you can place a MOLLI® seed weeks before the operation and have the patient come in at the scheduled surgery time. The patient doesn’t need to be at the hospital any longer than they need to be! The convenience and peace of mind for the patient is really the biggest benefit.”

Two men (dressed in surgery scrubs) and a woman stand in a hospital hallway with a piece of medical equipment.

(l-r) YHF Managing Director Mary Surette, Dr. Chris Murphy, and Dr. Blair MacDonald with the MOLLI® Tablet.

It’s amazing to see healthcare professionals so excited over a piece of technology, but it warms the heart even more to know that our incredibly caring donors are the reason we were able to bring it to Yarmouth Regional Hospital. We pledge to continue bringing the best possible equipment to our healthcare centre, ensuring that our donors’ wishes are met. To each and every one who gave, we express our sincerest thanks!

Ivan Cottreau and the Wall of Honour

The Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s Wall of Honour, located in the lobby of the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, is a testament to the generosity found throughout our area. On this wall are placed the names of donors who have given $5,000 and above towards our region’s healthcare system. It’s a great way to say thanks — but it wouldn’t have been possible without the skill and expertise of the craftsman who created the piece!

Local business owner and carpenter Ivan Cottreau (owner of E&J Millworks Inc.) was first approached in 2010 by the managing director at the time, Paulette Sweeney-Goodwin. “The idea to seek out the existing design of the new wall came about when the foundation saw various designs presented at an annual Association of Healthcare Philanthropy conference,” explains Paulette. “We felt strongly that we would prefer to enlist someone local, and it didn’t take us long to discover Ivan Cottreau’s gift in cabinet making and finish work. Ivan took pride in what he does, and his attention to detail was evident.”

But there was more to the selection than his careful craftsmanship. Paulette continued. “Equally important, he understood from the outset how important the Wall of Honour is and what it represents to the community. Ivan was so committed that he donated his time and talent to see the project through to completion. Ivan and his wife Nancy truly have the hearts of donors.”

“It was a big job,” Ivan told us. “I probably spent three weeks’ worth of evenings and weekends creating the original piece — and then it took three evenings to just put the name plates on. There have been a lot more donors recently, so in 2022 I also made an extension to the wall.”

But this year, current managing director Mary Surette noticed something. “I was thrilled to see that Ivan and Nancy’s donations had recently crossed the $5,000 threshold required to put his name on the Wall of Honour he himself had created! We reached out to him immediately in order to commemorate the special event.”

Ivan and Nancy Cottreau at the Wall of Honour.

Ivan is soft-spoken and modest about his creation, but we at the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation are incredibly grateful for the pride he takes in his work. The Wall of Honour will stand for many years as a beautiful way to honour the incredible donors who make our work possible. “When visitors to the hospital see the memorial wall, it acts as a strong reminder of the power that each and every donor has to enact positive change,” says Mary. Paulette agrees. “By recognizing our donors in such a public way, the Wall of Honour often inspires others to make a donation towards our community’s health. Whether they’re aware of it or not, foundation donors lead by example.”

Looking for Board Members

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is looking for Board members

The Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is extremely fortunate to have the unwavering support of the local community. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to help the Yarmouth Regional Hospital deliver excellent healthcare to the tri-county communities it serves. Our foundation is led by a dedicated and resourceful board of directors who work tirelessly to inspire generosity within the community, strengthen healthcare through investment in our regional hospital, and celebrate the impact of philanthropy.

Here is your opportunity to take part in the success of this community partnership.

The Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Board will be appointing new members over the months ahead. To ensure broad public engagement, we invite nominations to be considered by the nominating committee. Individuals must agree to being considered before you nominate them.

A recent evaluation has identified the following areas of priority in appointing new members:

• Financial Experience
• Legal Experience
• Communication Skills

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation also has a strong desire to have our board closely reflect the diverse populations served by the hospital. We invite applications from all genders, all races and ethnicities, people of all abilities, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2S+ persons and bilingual or multilingual individuals. We are committed to providing all applicants with equal opportunities.

Please submit full name, contact information, a short biography or CV, and a brief letter indicating reasons for interest in and appropriateness for a board position to:

Mary Surette
Managing Director
Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
PO Box 7, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1

mary.surette@nshealth.ca

Cycling for a Cause – Dr. Ziyad Alanazi’s “Heart Ride”

Dr. Ziyad Alanazi’s “Heart Ride” (undertaken as part of our 2024 Sou’West Walkathon) raised almost $1,000 for the cause! We are very grateful to Dr. Alanazi and all who donated.

We knew it was a great story, and Saltwire agreed! Check out their article and learn more about this generous man and his story!

YHF Nursing Scholarships

Hospitals are bustling, complex systems full of skilled and educated individuals, any of whom the healthcare system would not be able to function without. But ask anyone and they will tell you – the beating heart of any hospital is its nurses.

One of these nurses is Perioperative Team Lead Deborah Janke. Having been an LPN in the operating room for 10 years, she decided to further her training and become an RN. “An RN is often in charge of a care plan or in charge of more acute patients, but they also do more management and take on more of an educator role,” Deborah explains. But beginning any such journey can be daunting, with financial concerns substantial consideration. As Deborah remembers, “I still had a mortgage, still had car payments, still had all those things in life that I had to pay for.” Luckily, the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation was here to help.

With a number of nursing scholarships specifically available for students attending the Dalhousie University Bachelor of Science Nursing program (Yarmouth Campus), we at the foundation are proud to support the next generation of nurses. “Many others in my class received them,” says Deborah “and everybody who had them was grateful for the help! The school was really helpful in letting us know about the scholarships and showing us how to apply, etc. I was very happy about it.”

If you’re taking the next big step in your education at Dalhousie School of Nursing (Yarmouth Campus), check out our scholarships today!

Unsung Heroes of the Hospital

The folks on the Environmental Services team at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital are used to being called “housekeepers” – but there’s far more to what they do than simple cleaning work.

“Anything that needs cleaning top to bottom – offices, delivery rooms, operating rooms, patient areas, lobby, all the bathrooms, entrances – you name it, they take care of it all,” says Robbie LeBlanc, Assistant Manager of Facilities Support Services. “But really, we’re here to keep the hospital safe. Infection control is a big thing! We keep germs from spreading from room to room, from patient to patient, and from staff to staff. It’s not only about the patients. We’re keeping everyone who walks through our doors safe.”

An Environmental Services worker standing by her cart.

Environmental Services team member Felicia Hirschfeld is ready to get to work! With six weeks’ experience on the job, she is one of the newer members of the team.

The training that goes with the position is extensive, and proper use of personal protective equipment is vital, given the staff’s proximity to illness and infectious disease. In fact, due to the level of care and attention given to the cleanliness and safety of our hospital, some Environmental Services workers can use up to 50 pairs of disposable gloves per day.

The job can be quite physically demanding as well, but there’s a large team to handle it all. “We have about 45 or 50 people who work here during the day and night. We’re at it 24 hours a day!” explains LeBlanc.

Here at the foundation, we’re sure you’ll agree that this is an invaluable team. So this Environmental Services Week, let’s give our thanks to the professionals who work so hard to keep us, our hospital, and our loved ones safe!

Introducing YHF Board Chair – Ann Jones

Ann Jones, the newly appointed Chair of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s board of directors, brings a lot of experience and passion to her new role. “I’m a volunteer at heart,” she says. “I love being active in my community, and I’ve been on many boards, including SHYFT, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Boys and Girls Club Board. I’m also a partner in the Yarmouth Waterfront Gallery.” When an opportunity to serve as a board member came up, she leapt at that chance. “It’s really important that I do this,” she realized.

The foundation’s mission, of course, is to support and enhance the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. And, as Ann explains, one of the chief ways we do so is by making the hospital an appealing place for doctors. “If we don’t have a hospital with the latest technology, we don’t attract the doctors or other healthcare professionals that we absolutely need. Without them, we can’t give the best care possible. So, I’d like to continue our strong collaboration with all partners involved. The hospital is a system, and all parts of that system need to work together.”

Continuing the foundation’s work of supporting our regional hospital may be her focus, but she has another goal as well – keeping the joyful atmosphere she sees in all the foundation’s endeavors. “When I see events like the WE CARE Radiothon, people are happy about giving. I think that excites me the most, that the foundation is so respected in this community. People know who we are, and they know that we deliver. So, when they give, they give from the heart. And we live in a very giving community.”

Kathy Ogden — A Life of Dedication

The work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is high-tech, fast-paced, and critical — and Kathy Ogden loves it. After graduating from the Yarmouth School of Nursing in 1978, Kathy was a nurse for 20 years when she took an assignment in the ICU and fell in love. She’s still in love with this position even after 25 years, so much so that she’s not ready to retire 10 years after she became eligible.

There are seven patient rooms and one treatment room in ICU, which allows for a variety of procedures, even the installation of temporary pacemakers. ICU is for critically ill patients, often those with heart or respiratory illnesses and those needing new acute dialysis requiring additional monitoring. These patients often require one-on-one care from a nurse, or perhaps one nurse can look after two or even three patients — but no more.

Kathy has been team leader for 10 years. While the nurses work 12-hour shifts — four on days, four on nights — the team leader works 7-3 Monday through Friday. Given her knowledge base and experience, she can provide support and advice to the other nurses. She also handles needed paperwork and fills in when a nurse needs assistance or a break.

In addition, up to 12 patients also can be monitored on 3-East or 3-South, and that’s because they have monitors that are connected to ICU. “We in ICU monitor them to determine if they need help, from asking the floor nurses to check on them to rushing to the bedside to deal with a critical development. We keep a close eye on them to determine if they need help and what kind,” Kathy says.

Years ago, many ICU patients would have been transferred to Halifax or Kentville for specialized care, but that happens much less often, Kathy says. “Now they can be treated right here at home,” she says. She attributes this to technological improvements and to the fact that ICU now has more internal medicine doctors, including a cardiologist and an intensivist, along with internal medicine fellows (doctors completing their training).

She credits the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation for funding many of the machines and devices that provide life-saving care — from the portable ultrasound that is used daily to ceiling lifts to special chairs that allow patients to sit up properly. “I get excited when we get some new equipment that the foundation has purchased,” Kathy admits. “The foundation has been very supportive when the need is there.”

A True ‘Run for Good’

Here at the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, we’re always thrilled to see local organizations as excited about supporting and enhancing our regional hospital as we are. So, this spring, our hearts were warmed to hear about the Run for Good 5K, organized by Boatskeg Distilling, Strong Tides Crossfit, and Apollo Sport & Wellness Centre. The run’s proceeds went to us here at the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, specifically to be put towards the Inpatient Recreation Therapy program at our regional hospital.

This program aims to support individuals mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually by aiding in accessing recreation/leisure activity. As co-organizer Jocelyne Deon said “We wanted to try and help with mental health — it touches everyone.” And mental health is a huge component in recreation therapy! As recreation therapist Emily Jackson explains, “The program uses recreation and leisure to support motivation, overall mood, self-esteem, and social connection by providing purpose and quality of life.”

With just under 70 runners signed up, the Run for Good 5K was a popular one for the local running community as well, and the bright and sunny weather only added to the great vibes. Door prizes were given out, and many enjoyed a few drinks after the run when they headed to the nearby Boatskeg Distillery (with portions of the drinks’ proceeds also going to the Inpatient Recreation Therapy program).

“The recent donation has a big impact on the program,” Emily Jackson went on to say. “We have implemented a garden space at one of the hospital entrances, and this donation helped us purchase supplies for the patients to connect with the outdoors and gardening. Each day the recreation therapy team brings patients to the space to care for the garden and enjoy some sunshine!”

When the community comes together to support healthcare, we all win. And thanks to gracious community partners such as by Boatskeg Distilling, Strong Tides Crossfit and Apollo Sport & Wellness Centre, the staff at our regional hospital can feel truly supported.

Funding a Vital Chemotherapy Tool

The New Biological Safety Cabinet

When facing a cancer diagnosis, we can expect thorough treatment that mitigates as many risks as possible. But there’s often more that goes into our treatment than we realize!

For instance, patients receiving chemotherapy at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital have their chemotherapy drugs mixed onsite in the Pharmacy Department. To make sure that each dose is safe and sterile, they all need to be mixed in a biological safety cabinet. Not only does this keep the doses safe, it keeps the pharmacy staff safe as well as they mix these cytotoxic drugs. It’s just one example of the behind-the-scenes work that must take place for our healthcare system to run efficiently, smoothly, and safely.

When we were approached by Maggie Arenburg (Manager, Pharmacy South West Nova Scotia) and Pam Robichaud (Manager, WZ Cancer Care Program) and told of their need for a new biological safety cabinet (at a cost of $25,318), we knew we had to step in to help. According to Pam and Maggie, “Given the rising number of cancer diagnoses in recent years, the replacement of our old, antiquated equipment was essential and timely.”

Karen Gorst and Kristen Pulsifer at Work (L-R)

Put simply, the hospital’s patients and staff both deserve to be as safe as possible – and we were proud to do our part. In spring of 2024, the new cabinet (sometimes colloquially referred to as a “chemo hood”) were installed in the Yarmouth Pharmacy Department. Without this, provision of lifesaving chemotherapy in Yarmouth would be either impossible or significantly delayed. And it’s all made possible because of our inspiring donors who understand the need for supporting and enhancing healthcare in our regional hospital!

The YHF 2024 Annual General Meeting

The Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is holding its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, at 5:30pm. It will be held in the Bluenose Room, at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.

Everyone is welcome to attend — however, only members are eligible to vote. Eligible voters are those individuals who have made a donation since last year’s AGM.

For more information, reach out via email at info@yarmouthhospitalfoundation.ca, or by phone at 902-749-1669.

Updated Laparoscopic Suites

An Exciting Upgrade

The new laparoscopic suites at Yarmouth Regional Hospital (YRH) are to the ones installed a dozen years ago as smart phones are to flip phones. Almost everything in the two operating rooms is brand new — lights, monitors, screens, beds, cameras and all of the other technology and specialized equipment our surgeons need to do their work, says Gina Leaman, nurse manager for Perioperative Services. (Perioperative is the term for the whole process from admitting to procedure to recovery.)

One of YRH’s two upgraded laparoscopic suites.

The new minimally invasive surgical (MIS) suites were made possible thanks to the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, which covered the full cost of $1.5 million. “The old suites were a big improvement but the new suites are a thousand times better,” says team leader Deborah Janke. “The technology is so much better for patients, as well as the staff.” It allows the surgical staff easy visual access to x-rays, CT-scans and MRIs, and that improves accuracy and speed, Deborah says.

Since Yarmouth Regional is a teaching hospital, medical residents and student nurses often attend and the camera system and monitors can shift around to get the best views for the surgeons and nurses and to help them teach. About half of all surgeries are laparoscopic, but the equipment is also a major asset for open surgeries, making detailed visual information available at the push of a button.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Gina Leaman — Nurse Manager for Perioperative Services

Laparoscopy is a less invasive surgery than open surgery and requires less recovery time. A laparoscope, a thin lighted tube that has a video camera, is inserted via a tiny incision to examine and treat the organs of the abdomen. Hernias, gall bladders, appendixes and bowels are the four most common surgeries performed in Yarmouth. Often five or six procedures are performed in each of the suites daily, but some surgeries, like bowel surgery could take a whole day, Gina says.

Laparoscopic technology is also used to give physicians a clear and detailed picture of a patient’s condition, to allow the physician to determine how that condition should be treated. For example, many of the scopes for hip and knee problems are done here, which frees up OR time in Kentville where the more complex surgery is done.

Besides the surgeon, each operation requires an assistant, an anesthetist and three OR nurses. YRH has four general surgeons, two gynaecologists, one ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist, one ophthalmologist, five visiting urologists two days a week and six visiting orthopaedic surgeons. They are assisted by 22 OR nurses, plus part-time and casual RNs.

Community Fundraisers for the WE CARE Radiothon

Fundraising for the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s WE Care Radiothon starts long before we hit the airwaves on Feb 29^th.

One of the most ‘talked about’ events for the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is just around the corner … the WE CARE Radiothon! 2024 is a leap year and on Thursday, February 29^th, we, along with presenting sponsor Y95, invite you to take a leap forward with us in support of your regional hospital once again.

The entire Tri-County community of Yarmouth, Digby & Shelburne will benefit from the new cardia rehab program coming to your regional hospital, so we are calling on the entire Tri-County community to support this important fundraiser!

Community fundraisers in support of WE CARE Radiothon:

Bruce Group Yarmouth: Honda, Chrysler & Kia are offering a donation to the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation for every test drive and vehicle sold during the month of February.

Next time you are in Wilson’s Home Hardware in Barrington Passage or Carleton Country Outfitters in Carleton, drop your loose change into one of the WE CARE Radiothon red jugs.

Here’s some other ways you can be part of WE CARE Radiothon 2024:

Friendly competition is one of the best motivators out there! Challenge a co-worker to meet or beat your fundraising total or throw a company-wide collection challenge.
Give a donation instead of exchanging Valentine or birthday gifts.
Sell secret valentines or candy-grams.
Host a“trivia night” and ask friends to make a donation to attend.
Have a bake sale, a craft sale or a cake walk.
Save all of your loose change and donate it – Little Chevrolet has once again pledged to match all coin donations on Radiothon day up to $5,000!

Show us how much YOU CARE! It’s community support that will enable your regional hospital to provide the best health care possible to the residents of Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties. Every bit helps!

WE CARE Radiothon Trivia is back!

You loved it last year, and it’s back again!

WE CARE Radiothon Trivia is back!

How much do you know about Yarmouth Regional Hospital, and Yarmouth Hospital Foundation?

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation and our presenting partner Y95 – CJLS radio station are once again jointly hosting a trivia contest in the lead up to this year’s WE CARE Radiothon with prizes donated generously by Rayanne and Aldric Robicheau (thank you so much!).

Every (business) day from Wednesday February 14^th to Wednesday, Feb 28^th (not including the Feb 19th stat holiday) there will be two opportunities to win a gift card worth $25 for gas at the PetroCan station at the corner of Starrs Rd. and Haley Rd.

Each day, Y95 – CJLS will ask one trivia question and pick their daily winner. YHF will be posting a different trivia question each day at 8am on our Facebook page.

To win on Facebook, you must —

1) Answer the trivia question correctly!

2) Agree to the contest’s terms and conditions.

All contestants who answer correctly will be entered into a random draw to win, and the winner will be notified the same day! We will then message you to make arrangements to get you your prize.

By answering the trivia question on our Facebook page, your agreement to the following terms is implied.

Terms & Conditions

The daily Facebook trivia closes at 3:30pm Atlantic Time every business day from Feb 15 – 28. Business days do not include weekends or the statutory holiday on Monday, February 19. Entries posted after 3:30pm Atlantic Time will not be entered into the daily contest.
The daily winner will be randomly selected and posted here no later than 5pm Atlantic time the same day.
Only one winner will be selected each day on Facebook, and one additional winner will be selected through Y95 and their version of this contest.
The trivia contest is limited to residents of the Tri-Counties of Yarmouth, Shelburne & Digby, Nova Scotia.
Facebook/Meta is not affiliated in any way with this contest and by participating in this contest, you agree to fully release and hold Meta harmless from liability.

You Bought This!

Your donations at work at Yarmouth Regional Hospital

Last Fall, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation held our first-ever Sou’West Walkathon to raise money towards the purchase of eight specially designed Broda tilt and recline wheelchairs for the ICU.

Well, here’s the exciting news: you bought them!

With the contributions made from the walkathon, as well as the ongoing generosity of donors like you, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation purchased all eight Broda chairs, and they’re already in use at your regional hospital! Sharon Harvie, Health Care Manager – ICU, Acute Care 3B/3C told us, “I am very appreciative of the support of the community in providing much needed equipment for our patients. The staff, patients and families truly appreciate it!”

Because our walkathon walkers were so instrumental in making this purchase happen, we invited the highest fundraising team and individual to come and see these exciting new wheelchairs, and to meet some of the staff who will be using them. Team ‘Lumberjack Legacy’ was comprised of Denise Nickerson and Angele Scott, and our highest fundraising walker was Yarmouth Hospital Foundation board member, Jim Smith.

Angele Scott, a NS Health employee, has seen the impact of the foundation’s donors around the hospital, but she and Denise had a more personal reason for supporting the walkathon. Rob Kane, Denise’s partner, spent three weeks in the ICU last November. “It really brought it home,” Denise told us, “how much we all need the hospital. We wanted to give back.”

Angele, Rob’s cousin, agreed: “Helping the hospital is always a good cause, but this was personal since we had Rob in the ICU last year. That kept us walking, even on the rainy days.” She also noted that the online fundraiser format meant that other members of their extended family who they might not see in person were able to donate towards their fundraising efforts.

Hannah Wray, Team Lead for Acute Care 3B/3C was enthusiastic about the equipment: “These wheelchairs hugely improve care and comfort and are so much safer for our staff! Many thanks to everyone who donated to help make this a reality for our patients!”

Jim Smith, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation board member is an avid walker on an ordinary day, and he took the foundation’s walkathon as a personal challenge. “It meant that I couldn’t miss a day, not even for the rain,” he told us. “Ultimately, the needs of the hospital are so great, and fundraisers like this are a good ‘exercise’ towards helping meet unlimited needs,” Jim said.

Kathy Ogden, Team Lead for the ICU, knows just how ongoing and unlimited the needs of the hospital are. She’s worked for Yarmouth Regional Hospital for 45 years, and the ICU specifically for 25 years. “I’m always excited when the foundation brings us new equipment, like these chairs or our recent ceiling lifts! I could name every piece of equipment that the foundation’s donors have bought for us, the new equipment, the updates and the upgrades. Hospital technology is always advancing, and your donors are so generous and so appreciated!”

Thank you so much for making a difference in health care in the Tri-Counties!

Tusket Toyota Matches Monthly Giving to Yarmouth Hospital Foundation

This Giving Tuesday, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is thrilled to announce the incredible expansion of our Heart of the Hospital Monthly Giving program as Tusket Toyota have stepped up for health care in your community! Thanks to the generosity of Tusket Toyota, our new Matching Partner, your dollars just doubled. If you sign up today to donate monthly to Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, Tusket Toyota will match your monthly donations every month! This means that your money will go further — twice as far, in fact! — and it will have even more impact for Yarmouth Regional Hospital.

Tusket Toyota have supported Yarmouth Hospital Foundation for over eighteen years, and are featured in the Leaders category on our Wall of Honour. In fact, we consider them one of our loyal Corporate Partners in Healthcare — and now they’re your partner, too, doubling your monthly gift to your regional hospital, and multiplying your impact.

Monthly Giving donors are a special kind of donor, which is why we call them the Heart of the Hospital. Their reliable, regular contributions provide an invaluable resource of sustained funding for Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, allowing our regional hospital to invest money where it’s needed most and to plan for long-term projects that will change patients’ lives for generations to come. That’s the power of monthly giving.

Last year, our Monthly Giving Donors’ funds went towards the purchase of a PhysioGait Dynamic Unweighting System. The equipment is an essential piece for the Rehabilitation department as it allows patients to safely mobilize without having to fully bear their own weight. Natalie Bourque, manager of Yarmouth Regional Hospital Rehabilitation Services told us that “this equipment allows patients to work on their gait while having their weight supported. It decreases the risk of falls and creates a safe environment for both the patients and the staff member. Without this equipment, staff would be unable to safely mobilize patients who require a higher level of physical support.”

Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to join the Heart of the Hospital program as a monthly donor. It’s easy and convenient to set up a regular monthly contribution that works within your budget. You can give in any amount of your choosing and may adjust your amount or cancel your donation at any time. A little money every month goes a long way for local health care, right here at home.

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Managing Director Mary Surette says, “Monthly giving is a simple and powerful way to have a significant and long-term impact on health care in the Tri-Counties: that’s why I’m part of the Heart of the Hospital Program, too. The impact of monthly giving is very real, and now it’s only going to be greater thanks to Tusket Toyota.”

Maple Grove students STOMP over to Yarmouth Hospital Foundation with a generous donation!

Maple Grove students fundraise for Yarmouth Hospital Foundation

When Grade 8 students — now graduates — Leila Ben Mohamed and Chris Coggins arrived at the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation office at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital to present a cheque for $759.15, the Maple Grove students were excited to share how they came to raise the money and why they chose to donate to the foundation. They were part of STOMP, a pilot project aimed at helping students in grades 7 to 12 develop an understanding of the factors influencing tobacco use and vaping and the consequences.

STOMP stands for Students Together Moving to Prevent Tobacco Use, explained faculty adviser and Grade 7 teacher Max Taylor. The group consists of student council members, athletes and kids who have experienced vaping themselves. Vaping is pretty common among students especially in the bathrooms, Leila and Chris agree. Smoking not so much. Kids perceive that vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking and don’t appreciate the dangers, their teacher pointed out. It’s more accessible and “you’re not walking around smelling of it.”

“It’s a program where you’re helping the community, you’re helping kids and your friends be aware of vaping and it’s a powerful message,” said Chris.

Leila explained that they made presentations to each class, followed by making posters inspired by the STOMP message. Leila and another student, Faith Lewis, were interviewed about STOMP on Y95. They also had donation jars in each classroom, Chris added. “If you raised a certain amount of money, Mr. Taylor would get pied in the face.” He wasn’t the only teacher to volunteer to get up close and personal with a whipped cream pie. And there’s video — lots of video!

Chris said the program has had a good response and made at least one convert. A friend of his stopped after hearing their presentation.

“We chose the foundation to donate to because most people affected by smoking or vaping have to come to the hospital if they are having problems,” Leila said. “Everyone needs the hospital one time or another.”

“We love to see donations from student groups and schools,” said foundation managing director Mary Surette. “We really appreciate their generosity at a young age. A huge thank you to these extraordinary young people!”

Maple Grove is one of about a dozen test locations across Canada for STOMP, an initiative of Physical Health and Education Canada. The two-year pilot project was launched at Maple Grove for the 2022-23 school year.

YHF AGM 2023

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Yarmouth Hospital Foundation will once again be held virtually, on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 at 5:00pm via ZOOM.

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is pleased to support Virtual Care @ Yarmouth Hub. Please join us and our guest speakers to learn more about this new exciting project that provides assistance to those who need help accessing virtual care.

For more information and to register: 902-749-1669 or info@yarmouthhospitalfoundation.ca

Everyone is welcome to attend, however, only members are eligible to vote. Eligible voters/members are those individuals who have made a donation since last year’s AGM.

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Charity Art Auction 2023 to raise money for Women’s Health

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is hosting an online auction as part of our fundraising drive towards a new service for Women’s Health this spring! We are raising money towards the purchase of a MyoSure® system, which will provide an alternative to major surgery or travel for many gynecological conditions: we’re very excited about this, because Yarmouth is the only regional hospital in the province that doesn’t have this equipment —YET!

Local artists and artisans have donated their paintings, pottery, sculptures, and stained glass towards this endeavor, and you can see all of these treasures at the Yarmouth Mall before you bid!

Help raise money for your regional hospital, and take home something beautiful and unique! Our 100% online auction can be found at www.32auctions.com/2023YHFArtAuction and runs from May 20th until June 20th!

Good luck and happy bidding!

Your contribution will help provide the safest and most up-to- date standard of care treatment for the women of the Tri-Counties, right here at your regional hospital.

Yarmouth Hospital Foundation Christmas Appeal was a great success: Thank you!

THANK YOU: Once again we at YHF are in awe of our donors and are delighted to announce that the Christmas Appeal in support of Medical Device Reprocessing (and additional urology services) was a great success!

Yarmouth Regional Hospital will gain the capacity for low-temperature sterilization! This means that, for example, our urologists will be able to offer a 10-minute cystoscope procedure that patients in the Tri-Counties previously have had to travel to Kentville or Bridgewater to undergo. Imagine the relief for these patients!

Our regional hospital touches the lives of many individuals and families from the Tri-County region every single day of the year. Health care equipment is expensive, and the technology is continually updating. Your donations, like the ones that funded this V-Pro Low Temp Sterilizer for Medical Device Reprocessing, continue to provide our care teams with the essential tools they need to provide the best care possible in keeping our families and our community healthy.

Hometown Hero Graves cares about Yarmouth Regional Hospital

It was a busy July afternoon at the Mariners’ Centre, on and off the ice, when the small group from Yarmouth Hospital Foundation finally made their way around more than a hundred students with hockey sticks to connect with NHLer Ryan Graves. The plan was to make good on a winning bid from the WE CARE Radiothon auction held all the way back in February and everyone was excited to do it.

One of the items listed for our inaugural WE CARE Radiothon Auction was a hockey jersey signed by Ryan Graves— an item that came with a small leap of faith. The shirt wasn’t signed back in February, and the winner would have to wait until the summer to meet Graves and get the shirt signed then. Winning bidder Dr. Brian Moses was content with the conditions and only too happy, once summer came, to collect.

Graves, fresh off his first season with the New Jersey Devils and representing Team Canada in the World Hockey Championship, was back in his hometown to run the Ryan Graves Hockey School — a weeklong hockey summer camp program like the ones he grew up going to, or like the ones that Jody Shelley previously hosted. “I would like to follow in his footsteps for doing good things here,” said Ryan. “I’m super proud of being from here. The community is awesome here.”

The Ryan Graves Hockey School is his way of giving back to the local community and he was only too happy to take a little time out to support Yarmouth Regional Hospital. “It’s awesome to get home and to support my hometown, for sure,” Ryan said, meeting with Dr. Moses to sign and hand over the jersey. “The hospital helps everyone so it’s a big positive to get to help raise money for them.”

Thanks again for your support, Ryan! We wish you the best for your upcoming season!

Spring Appeal (for two multiparameter patient monitors for your Emergency Department) is going well!

After totaling up all the very generous donations received for our Spring Appeal (to raise money towards the purchase of two multiparameter patient monitors for your Emergency Department), we are delighted to announce that one of the monitors is fully funded! Thank you so much, Tri-Counties!

If you’ve not had the chance to donate yet, see our ‘Ways to Give’ page for details as to how!

Help us win $20,000 through the Great Canadian Giving Challenge!

Help us win!

Every dollar that you donate to Yarmouth Hospital Foundation through CanadaHelps from June 1st to 30th, 2022, is an entry into a draw for us to win $20,000 that we could put into your regional hospital! “Every $1 donated gives your favourite charity the chance to win so the more you give, the greater the chances your charity has to WIN the grand prize!”

The Great Canadian Giving Challenge coincides perfectly with our Spring Appeal, so we’re pretty thrilled. It’s a great time to encourage the generosity of the Tri-County area towards Yarmouth Regional Hospital, and $20,000 would be a wonderful boost for us. In fact, it would be such a great boost that we’ve decided to sweeten the pot for you, our donors, and have our own draw.

Every donation received by Yarmouth Hospital Foundation through CanadaHelps from June 1st to 30^th will get you entered into a draw at the end of the month to win… a prepaid VISA card loaded with $250! It’s win/win! What would you do with an extra $250 in your pocket?

And what would we do with an extra $20,000 in ours? Well, our Spring Appeal is raising funds towards two multiparameter monitors for you regional hospital’s Emergency Department — those are $37,500 each — so this extra $20,000 means we would be halfway towards purchasing one of these, or maybe even a third monitor for your ED! How exciting is that?

What do you think? Do you feel lucky? https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/yarmouth-hospital-foundation/

2022 YHF AGM

As a public health precaution, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Yarmouth Hospital Foundation will once again be held virtually, on Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 at 5:00pm via ZOOM. Everyone is welcome to attend, however, only those individuals who have donated to the Foundation since last year’s AGM are eligible to vote.

For more information and to register phone 902-749-1669 or email info@yarmouthhospitalfoundation.ca

Celebrating our volunteers

From April 24 to 30, 2022 Yarmouth Hospital Foundation and Volunteer Canada celebrate Canada’s 24 million volunteers during National Volunteer Week (NVW).

This annual celebration is a time to thank and recognize volunteers from coast to coast to coast. This year’s theme Volunteering is Empathy in Action highlights how this profoundly human connection is at the heart of healthier individuals and stronger communities.

Where would we be without our volunteers? Yarmouth Hospital Foundation is fundamentally rooted in the generosity and empathy of our all-volunteer Board of Directors and has been lucky enough to be supported by an army of volunteer partners-in-healthcare through all our events, past and present. Our donors and our volunteers are the heart and the hands of the Foundation, and this week, we just want to take a moment to express our gratitude for all of you and all that you do. Through your care and collaboration, we are building up our hospital to be a regional centre of excellence in health care.