Submitted by April Patry, Executive Director
April 17, 2026, Bruce Peninsula, ON — Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and loyalty of donors, all identified needs of Brightshores Health System Wiarton and Lion’s Head Hospitals have been met, ensuring patients and care teams continue to benefit from safe, modern, and high-quality healthcare close to home.
Thanks to our community’s generosity, the Brightshores Health System Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation invested $1,037,005 in priority medical equipment, staff education, and system improvements that directly benefit patient care across the Bruce Peninsula.
One of this year’s most significant initiatives — the funding of Automated Dispensary Units (ADUs) — has been fully funded, installed, and staff training is complete at both Wiarton and Lion’s Head Hospitals. The ADU’s are now fully operational, and the units are already enhancing medication safety, improving workflow efficiency, and supporting safer patient care. “Donor generosity in Lion’s Head and Wiarton helps make local enhancements possible, while support for system-wide projects like the ADU upgrade strengthens care across every Brightshores site,” says Ann Ford, Brightshores Health System President & CEO. “We are deeply grateful to the foundation’s donors whose generosity contributes to a healthier future for Grey Bruce.”
Of the $1,037,005 provided, $53,000 came from earnings from the Foundation’s Caring for Tomorrow Endowment Fund, supporting both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. “The Fund enjoyed excellent investment returns this past year, and we’re excited to see those earnings translating directly into improved patient care on the Peninsula,” said Helen Thomson, Foundation Director and Finance Chair.
The Endowment income supported the purchase of critical equipment and staff education, including funding for a new infant warmer at Wiarton Hospital, the Automated Dispensary Units at Lion’s Head Hospital, and continuing education and training for nursing staff.
Advancing Healthcare Close To Home
Additionally, Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation contributes to regional healthcare initiatives that support access to essential services across Grey Bruce. These investments help ensure Peninsula residents and visitors can access specialized care closer to home, reducing the need to travel outside the region. By supporting regional services, donor funding helps sustain coordinated, high-quality care for the communities we serve.
“This past year is a powerful reflection of what consistent, community-driven support can accomplish,” said Linda Myles-Gallinger, Chair of Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation. “Donors can be confident that their gifts are carefully stewarded and directed to real, identified healthcare needs that make a direct difference for patients and care teams. We are also deeply grateful for the longstanding support of the Wiarton and Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliaries, whose dedication and volunteer spirit continue to strengthen our local hospitals and the care they provide.”
The Foundation extends sincere thanks to the donors, volunteers, and community partners whose generosity made these investments possible. As healthcare needs continue to evolve, the Foundation looks ahead with gratitude and optimism, knowing that continued community support will remain essential to ensuring high-quality care close to home for years to come.
Brightshores Health System Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation
The Brightshores Health System Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation is dedicated to supporting Brightshores Health System by fundraising for medical equipment, technological advancements, staff education, and facility improvements. We adopt a local as well as a regional approach, committed to supporting the advancement of healthcare solutions that serve the broader population of Grey and Bruce counties.
