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Shuswap Hospital Foundation honours Owens

Shuswap Hospital Foundation president Brian Ayotte updated attendees at the Sept. 26 AGM.
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Shuswap Hospital Foundation president Brian Ayotte confers a special life membership on retiring board member Ralph Owens and presents him with a plaque in recognition of his service.

It was an evening of information and tributes.

Shuswap Hospital Foundation president Brian Ayotte updated attendees at the Sept. 26 AGM on activities over the past year before conferring a special life membership on retiring board member Ralph Owens.

Ayotte noted the installation of a new X-ray machine in a newly developed trauma room adjacent to the new emergency area as one of the foundation’s highlights.

“This installation facilitates examinations of patients being seen for trauma in emergency,” he said. “It also serves for general service X-rays from the imaging department.”

The Foundation contributed $120,000 towards the installation of the new room that cost just in excess of $200,000.

Ayotte noted that close to 45 per cent of the X-rays taken in the department in 2012 were in the trauma room.

“A whole variety of equipment was furnished to the hospital, Bastion Place and to Community Care in the year,” Ayotte said.

He noted that $205,855 was committed for equipment for 2012 in one allocation, that saw the funding of an upgrade for more advanced technical ultra sound heart examinations, an ECG machine, a ventilator, a CR Reader to digitalize X-ray images and a fetal monitor.

The foundation also funded the purchase of equipment for the community-based speech clinic and, with the generosity of the Salmon Arm Rotary Club, said Ayotte, a vein viewer to help with difficult intravenous injections.

The foundation also approved a further $60,000 to help with the replacement of endoscopes for use in the operating rooms.

Ayotte credited the foundation’s success to community generosity and noted the organization made special efforts over the last several months to prepare to assist folks in planning their generosity. Without continuing support, he warned, future needs could be in jeopardy.

Ayotte explained that the foundation works with financial advisors,  insurance representatives and other professionals to find every advantage they can for donors.

“The foundation truly appreciates the generosity and kindnesses of the public and of all its volunteers,” he said, pointing out that includes the part played by all levels of government, including Interior Health. “The work of the foundation simply fills the gaps that otherwise might not be met.”

Allen Finch of Finch and Company presented the official financial return. Highlighted in his report was the over quarter million dollars raised in the community in the last fiscal year and $400,000 in equipment purchases made in that period.

In presenting Owens with a special plaque, Ayotte applauded Owens for  25 years of service on the board.

Owens gave his own message, announcing a few days earlier that he was donating nearly $2,500 to the foundation – $100 for each year he served.

“This contribution added to his previous support, now has Ralph and Norma Owens recognized as benefactors to the foundation,” said Ayotte, who presented Owens with an engraved, silver salmon figurine  that will be mounted on the hospital’s recognition wall.

Elections were then held to fill four three-year term positions. Ayotte, Joe Johnson, Jim Kimmerly and Maureen McTavish were elected by acclamation.

Remaining on the board are Doug Murray, Eugene Casavant, Addie Williams, Terri Sinton, Kathryn Vennard, Ted Brecknell, Jackie Morrison and Rick Hirtle, and Adela Ainsworth  representing the Shuswap Lake Hospital Auxiliary.

The AGM concluded with a presentation by Brad Clements, who explained the advantages and process for visioning and strategic planning.

Clements is a management consultant and part-time economics professor at Okanagan College. He is contracted by the foundation board to lead the them through a visioning and strategic planning exercise over the next several months.