Hospitals Foundation Receives $138,307.00 Donation in Memory of Patsy Churchill

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A Loving Legacy Advancing Local Healthcare Photo: The Churchill family presents a cheque for $138,307.00 to Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation on July 8, 2024 at the Lion’s Head Hospital. L-R: Dr. Brian Taylor – Director, BPHF, Dr. Adam Matheson, Carl Churchill, Cal Churchill, Cary Churchill, Tannu Sayed – Brightshores Laboratory Director, Dana Fries, RN, Chris Churchill, Kevin Walsh – Chair, BPHF, Lisa Martin – Brightshores Laboratory Manager, and Rebecca Cummings – Brightshores VP Corporate Services, CHRO.
Submitted by April Patry, BPHF Executive Director

July 23, 2024 – Bruce Peninsula patients will soon be offered faster, more accurate blood tests at Brightshores – Lion’s Head Hospital thanks to a most generous gift, inspired by love. Lifelong summer resident, Carl Churchill, has given the gift of life in memory of his wife Patricia, whom he lost in March after 63 years of marriage. Carl describes Patsy, as a “wonderful wife, mother and friend. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.” Carl added, “we are so grateful for the many years of care our family has received. It is with honour that our family fulfill Patsy’s wish to leave something meaningful to the community in which she so dearly loved.”

As a result of Carl & Patsy’s gift, the lab at the Lion’s Head Hospital will be undergoing some much needed changes that will significantly improve both patient care and staff efficiencies. The lab is being moved closer to the ER and will be undergoing a renovation in preparation of Point of Care Testing. Point of Care Testing is clinical laboratory testing that can be completed in a close proximity to where a patient is being treated. The PoCT system will be available 24/7 and will provide a more thorough clinical picture of the patient’s condition. To help illustrate the impact of the new PoCT, the lab conducted nearly 33,000 tests last year! Most transformational, testing will be completed and in the physician’s hands in 30 minutes versus driving samples to Wiarton Hospital for testing (as is currently done), which will greatly shorten ER visit times for patients, especially in winter months. “The Lion’s Head Hospital plays a critical part in our delivery of health care services and enables residents and visitors to access timely care in what would otherwise be a significant distance to travel. When our community invests in our health system, our ability to provide exceptional care is enhanced. This gift not only updates our equipment but also allows for renovations to improve work flow and efficiency. We are so pleased to recognize the legacy gift of Patsy Churchill.” said Ann Ford, President CEO, Brightshores Health System.

Over and above the funding of our lab advancements on the Peninsula, the Churchill’s have provided funding for Brightshores Health System’s Regional Hospital. Specifically, they have funded the purchase of 6 Scope Cameras for our Urology Department, Patient Lifts, and a Patient Wander System for our Transitional Care Unit – all critically needed equipment which serves patients from all over Grey/Bruce.