In July 2023, KDH received three new anesthesia ventilators funded by the KDH Foundation.

“Anesthesia ventilators are essentially the machinery that keeps the patient alive during surgery,” explained Dr. Colin Sentongo, who served KDH as Chief of Anesthesiology for six years before being appointed Chief of Staff in 2021.

“They breathe for the patient; they administer the gases that keep the patient asleep,” he added. “So I am biased in the sense that I think it’s probably the most important equipment that you can have an operating room. Everything else in my opinion, is secondary.”

Pictured (left to right): Taylor Shelp, RN; Jennifer Ellis, Vice President, Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive; Tanya Deans, RN, Manager, Clinical Programs; Dr. Colin Sentongo, Chief of Staff; Kelly Richer, RN, Surgical Care Unit Team Leader; Chelsey Green, RN, Epic Coordinator; Margret Norenberg, Foundation Board Chair; Frank Vassallo, CEO.

The new ventilators are an upgrade from KDH’s previous anesthesia machines, which Dr. Sentongo described as outdated. “Extra perks” of the ventilators, according to Tanya Deans, RN, KDH’s Manager of Clinical Programs, are “less anesthetic gas usage with more precise delivery and new monitoring cables for patients needing paralytics [powerful muscle relaxants used to prevent muscle movement] during their procedures.”  In addition, the new ventilators are familiar to many of the Anesthesiologists who provide services at KDH as they also use them in The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) ORs.

The KDH Foundation provided $250,000 for the purchase of the new Ventilators; these funds were raised in the tremendously supportive communities that KDH serves.

It is very important to KDH that our clinical teams have the equipment they need to provide the best possible care to our patients; as such, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Foundation for providing the funding for the anaesthesia ventilators, and for their continued support in enhancing the quality of care provided at KDH.

Please be advised there will be a planned network outage at KDH from 8:00 pm Saturday October 21, 2023 until 4:00 am Sunday October 22, 2023. The outage is required for replacement of a number of core switches as part of a significant IT Infrastructure upgrade.

This planned outage entails the shutdown of ALL network services, including internet, Wi-Fi, phone systems, and other online hospital communication services, including our Epic electronic health record system.

During the planned outage, we will be reverting to paper processes. Please be prepared for delays during this time.

Replacement of the core switches is crucial due to the large load of services they carry. Extensive planning around the network outage has been carried out to ensure it has the least impact on KDH services. IT teams will be working around the clock to ensure a smooth process.

To reach our inpatient medical unit during the outage, patients’ family/caregivers may call the unit at 613-285-6326.

KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 –  Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce a new specialist providing services in its outpatient clinics: Dr. Tammy LeRiche, a highly respected obstetrician/gynecologist, has recently established a Gynecology Clinic.

Dr. LeRiche will be seeing patients from the local communities KDH serves as well as those undergoing Gynecology surgery at KDH. She will be providing services related to contraception, fibroids, polyps, dysfunctional bleeding/menstrual irregularities, post-menopausal bleeding, and ovarian/adnexal masses.

Dr. Tammy LeRiche

Dr. Tammy LeRiche earned an undergraduate degree in Science at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia before earning a Master of Science degree in Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of Ottawa. She worked as a research chemist for three years before deciding to go to medical school. Dr. LeRiche completed medical school at the University of Ottawa, graduating in 2007. She subsequently finished her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ottawa in 2012.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. LeRiche began practice in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Brockville General Hospital (BGH); through its affiliation with Queen’s University she was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dr. LeRiche was head of the Women’s and Children’s Program at BGH for a number of years and received several teaching awards for her mentorship with medical students and residents.

“KDH is very fortunate to have Dr. Tammy LeRiche join us as a surgeon and program lead for Gynecology services, said Dr. Colin Sentongo, KDH’s Chief of Staff.  “She is an accomplished surgeon who has led the way to develop and enhance surgical services in ORs and community hospitals such as KDH. “

Dr. LeRiche responded, stating, “I am excited to be joining and expanding the KDH team to enhance the gynecological services provided to the local community and the Ottawa region.”

The new Gynecology clinic is the natural next step following the introduction of Gynecology surgery at KDH in the fall of 2022, under the leadership of  Dr. Sony Singh, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), and KDH’s Surgical Leadership team.

“With the new Gynecology clinic and Gynecology surgery, we continue to expand our strategic partnership with The Ottawa Hospital to help us achieve our longer term goal of bringing back Gynecology and Women’s Health services to the communities we serve,” explained Frank Vassallo, KDH’s CEO. Vassallo was referring to the hospital’s former Obstetrics program, which closed in 1990.

While KDH’s Gynecology clinic will see a variety of patients and patient conditions, KDH will strive to build capacity for laparoscopic hysterectomies (on both an inpatient and day surgery basis), which will build upon the successful day surgery laparoscopic hysterectomy service model Dr. LeRiche established in Brockville. Planned investments in additional equipment for the operating rooms and outpatient clinics will increase surgical capacity and offer services closer to home.

Physicians may fax referrals for the new Gynecology clinic to 613-258-4997.

ABOUT KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system.

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

613.258.6133 x 223 | jread@kdh.on.ca

KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO, JULY 21, 2023 – North Grenville’s WAY (Wellness Access for Youth) collaborative wants to spread the word that July 24 is International Self-Care Day, a day to recognize the importance of self-care for our mental and physical health.

“Self-care includes anything that we do to care for our physical, psychological, and emotional health,” said Dan MacKinnon, the Navigator for WAY, a collaborative made up of service providers who provide, refer, and support mental health and addictions services for children and youth aged 12 to 25 years of age in North Grenville.

WAY Navigator Dan MacKinnon

“Self-care is about taking time to do things you enjoy or that make you feel better, especially when you feel stressed,” MacKinnon added, “like riding a bike, playing music, or connecting with friends.”

7/24  – the day chosen for International Self-care Day – reminds us that we experience the benefits of self-care 7 days a week, 24 hours a day,

“Self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy,” said Lorena Crosbie, Executive Director of Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville, a founding WAY partner. “Self-care is linked to improved mental health, self-esteem, self-worth, and optimism.”

Crosbie noted that while summer brings warm weather and a long break from school, the lack of routine and daily interaction with friends can be stressful. For children and youth experiencing mental health challenges over the summer, help is only a phone call away. Calling 1-866-741-1WAY (1929) provides access to the services of all the WAY partners.

WAY can help with mental health, substance use health, food insecurity, housing, employment, transportation to appointments, and more. WAY can also connect parents and caregivers to help through PLEO – Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario.

For more information about WAY, visit http://www.kdh.on.ca/WAY/

Find out more about how to de-stress with self-care at https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/gc-schools-self-care-infographic-pdf.pdf

About WAY – Wellness Access for Youth

WAY – Wellness Access for Youth – is a collaborative made up of service providers who provide, refer, and support mental health and addictions services for children and youth aged 12 to 25 years of age in North Grenville. The overall goal of WAY is to increase access to safe, efficient, effective, timely and equitable integrated mental health and addictions services for children, youth and families living in North Grenville. WAY was formerly known as The Mental Health and Addictions Health Hub for Children and Youth in North Grenville and will be an integral component of the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team.  www.kdh.on.ca/WAY/

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital

T: 613.258.6133 extension 223

Email: jread@kdh.on.ca

KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO, July 7, 2023 –  When a valuable wheelchair went missing from Kemptville District Hospital (KDH), the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer and VP Operations Brittany Rivard reached out to KDH’s insurance provider, McDougall Insurance Brokers Limited, about making an insurance claim. Account Executive Megan Schooley quickly confirmed that KDH’s deductible was too high to justify submitting a claim. Then, unbeknownst to Rivard, she approached McDougall’s managing partners about the unfortunate situation. Without hesitation the partners, including Allister Brown of McDougall Brown Insurance Brokers, responded with an offer to donate the cost of a brand new wheelchair.

Pictured (left to right): Megan Schooley, Account Executive, McDougall Insurance; Margret Norenberg, KDH Foundation Board Chair; Allister Brown, Managing Partner, McDougall Brown Insurance; Brittany Rivard, KDH CFO & VP Operations.

Rivard explained that the hospital’s Rehab Department was very saddened by the loss of the wheelchair. Valued at approximately $3,000, the specialized wheelchair had been acquired just a few months previously.

KDH Occupational Therapist Sarah Moffat elaborated. “At KDH, our rehab department has a small supply of specialized wheelchairs to support the diverse patient population admitted to hospital. The loss of even one wheelchair significantly impacts our ability to meet patients’ specific needs. This wheelchair in particular was used for patients who needed a lightweight frame for self-propulsion, tall seat height, and specialized cushion for pressure injuries.”

KDH Foundation Board Chair Margret Norenberg gratefully received the cheque for $3,000 from McDougall’s Allister Brown and Megan Schooley.

Norenberg expressed the Foundation’s appreciation for the gift. “Because of your generosity we will be able to replace this key wheelchair in the KDH Rehab Department’s ‘fleet’ of mobility solutions,” she said. “Your gift will hugely benefit patient care and the ability of our Rehab staff to provide customized interventions for their patients.”

Norenberg noted that McDougall Insurance and McDougall Brown Insurance are long-time supporters of the KDH Foundation.

Allister Brown, who previously served on the KDH Foundation Board of Directors for more than a decade, stated that the managing partners’ decision to donate the cost of the new wheelchair was a ‘no-brainer’. “As a firm we have a commitment to give back to our communities,” he said. “We want to make a difference.”

ABOUT THE KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

The Kemptville District Hospital Foundation was established in 1979 to raise funds for KDH. Since that time, the Foundation has raised over $13,000,000 that has been used to purchase medical, surgical and diagnostic equipment, and fund large capital projects such as the new ER/OR expansion 15 years ago. Most recently, the foundation disbursed $800,000 to the hospital to build new space for the Hospital’s many clinics. The Foundation, under the leadership of a of passionate group of volunteers continues to raise funds to ensure our community has the best in care, close to home. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community members and local business.

For further information contact:

Kristy Carrière, Foundation Coordinator

613.258.6133 x 157 | kcarriere@kdh.on.ca

ABOUT KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of helping to build healthier communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system.

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

613.258.6133 x 223| jread@kdh.on.ca

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, MAY 31, 2023 – The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) are working together to provide patients across the region with the high-quality care they need. TOH and its Emergency Physician group will begin working with the KDH Emergency Department to coordinate and help support emergency services in Kemptville throughout this summer, ensuring that the community will continue to have access to emergency care.

“Our hospitals have worked together for many years, collaborating on ways to improve access to care for patients throughout our region,” said Cameron Love, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital. “This partnership is another step in that approach, as we look at more ways to ensure patients receive the care they need.”

Patients in the region will not notice any difference in the care provided at KDH’s Emergency Department. They should continue to go there if they need emergency medical care.

TOH and KDH previously created an innovative partnership in orthopedic surgery in 2017, which saw surgeons from both hospitals perform joint replacement procedures in KDH’s state-of-the-art operating facilities. This helped to reduce wait times for patients throughout the region, and allowed many patients to receive care closer to home.

“Like a number of other hospitals across the country, KDH has been dealing with the possibility of some reduction in our emergency services due to the shortage of physicians working in rural Emergency Departments. That is why we are so thankful to be able to collaborate with partners like The Ottawa Hospital,” said Frank Vassallo, CEO of Kemptville District Hospital. “Partnerships like this ensure that all patients will continue to receive high-quality, timely and consistent care, no matter where they are.”

Together, TOH and KDH are planning to implement an integrated service delivery model for the Emergency Department in the coming months. This model will ensure that patients accessing the KDH Emergency Department will have seamless and consistent care for the future.

About The Ottawa Hospital

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is one of Canada’s top learning and research hospitals where we are guided by our vision to provide the world-class and compassionate care we would all want for our loved ones. Our multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, is home to the Regional Trauma Centre and Cancer Centre, and to discoveries that are adopted globally. Backed by generous support from the community, we are focused on reshaping the future of health care to improve the health for our diverse population of patients from Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec and Nunavut. For more information about The Ottawa Hospital, visit OttawaHospital.on.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Rebecca Abelson, Media Relations Officer | rabelson@toh.ca

About Kemptville District Hospital

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to helping to build healthier communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the healthcare system. For more information, visit www.kdh.on.ca

For more information, please contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer | 613.258.6133 x 223 | jread@kdh.on.ca

KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO, April 28, 2023 – Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) honoured its dedicated volunteers on Friday, April 21, 2023 at a well-attended Volunteer Appreciation Tea held, according to tradition, during National Volunteer Week.

KDH’s Chief Executive Officer, Frank J. Vassallo, opened the afternoon’s program with a warm welcome to the dozens of members of the KDH Auxiliary (KDHA) gathered at Heritage Hall, home to Catered Affairs on the Kemptville Campus.

“We are all so happy to see the return of our annual Volunteer Appreciation Tea after a COVID-driven hiatus of three years,” he said. “The Volunteer Tea has always been a very important event in the annual life of the Hospital as it gives us the opportunity to formally recognize and thank all of our volunteers.”

Vassallo expressed sincere gratitude to the Auxiliary volunteers, both for choosing KDH to be the recipient of the precious gift of their time, and for their fundraising efforts, which resulted in a recent annual donation in the amount of $60,000.

KDH Auxiliary President, Linda Carnegie, addressed the attendees next, noting that, “Volunteers are the heart and soul of any organization.” She explained that every volunteer has their own reasons for giving of their time, whether it is to acquire new skills, give back to their community, or help improve the organization.

“Many of you say you get back more than you give,” she stated. “That is the biggest reward; however, every volunteer needs to know that their work matters and makes a difference: that is why we are gathered here today, to honour you and all that you do for Kemptville District Hospital and its Auxiliary.”

Carnegie introduced the awards segment of the event by noting there would be a large number of presentations as this was the first in person Volunteer Appreciation Tea since 2019.

The Awards Committee – consisting of Carnegie, Past President Brenda Steacy, Past President and Volunteer Coordinator Connie Parsons and, representing the Acton’s Corners Unit, Teresa Harrison –were honoured to announce the following awards.

KDH Auxiliary Members who received Outstanding Service Awards (left to right): Teresa Harrison, Brenda Steacy, Jean Gallant, Lillian Leonard, Jane Wolfe, Betty Beach, Allison Penny, Connie Parsons. Missing from the photo: Jolene Stover.

Certificates of Appreciation – 5 years

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to volunteers with five years of service to the KDH Auxiliary: Lisa Charlebois, Bea Francis, Cheryl Gilmour, Dorothy Leeder, Art Parks, and Johanna Kuntz.

Outstanding Service Awards – 10, 15 and 20 years

• 10 years:  Outstanding Service Awards and “V” (for Volunteer) pins were presented to Past President Brenda Steacy and Volunteer Johanna Kuntz. Carnegie noted that Kuntz reached 1,000 hours (the equivalent of 10 years) of volunteer service in only a few months: she spent more than 1,700 hours knitting Comfort Dolls for KDH’s smallest patients in 2022, almost the equivalent of a full time job!
• 15 years:  Outstanding Service Awards were presented to Bev Carson, Mae Fairfield, Marguerite Gooch, John Graves, Audrey Halsey, Teresa Harrison, Allison Penny, and Donna Thibert.
• 20 years:  Outstanding Service Awards were presented to Cathi Finley and Sylvia Johnston.

Outstanding Service Awards – Achievements

Where the previous awards recognized numerous years of dedicated service to the Auxiliary, the following Outstanding Service Awards were presented in recognition of specific outstanding achievements:

• Brenda Steacy – for hard work, dedication and consistent willingness to go above and beyond her duties in every role, including  President, Treasurer, and Coffee Shop Purchaser.
• Allison Penny – for contributing great ideas, flare and innovation to the Gift Shop and Coffee Bar while dedicating many years as a Director of the KDHA.
• Jolene Stover – for taking risks, being creative and innovative, and achieving success through skillful execution of events, taking Hey Day to new heights and putting the KDHA on the map.
• Betty Beach – for demonstrating true stewardship, contributing significantly to the success of the KDHA through Second Hand Rose as well helping organize and orchestrate numerous events.
• Teresa Harrison – for outstanding performance and dedication to excellence, especially in taking the KDHA into the advanced world of technology, navigating the on-line 50/50 raffle.
• Jane Wolfe – for positivity, patience, and wonderful team spirit while serving as President, achieving Life Membership, acting as Director, and now managing the Gift Shop and Coffee Bar.
• Lillian Leonard – for years of motivation and encouragement as President, Life Member, and Buyer for the Gift Shop, where she displays exquisite taste in purchasing.
• Jean Gallant – for bringing fresh perspectives, objectivity, and innovation combined with a visionary approach and tireless work ethic, always sharing positive support and encouragement.
• Connie Parsons – for sharing ideas, seizing every opportunity, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment, and countless hours spent coordinating volunteers.

Retirements

Several dedicated KDHA volunteers made the difficult choice to retire rather than return to in-person volunteering post-COVID. The KDHA expressed heartfelt appreciation to the following retiring volunteers:  Lois Nichols (10 years of service); Louise Shaw (10 years); Sue Cotter (15 years); Joan Gummeson (15 years); Ina Dyks (15 years); Joyce Charter (17 years); and Tina Te Grotenhuis (18 years). To great applause, Linda Carnegie announced that together these volunteers had given an astounding 100 years of service to KDH.

Awards of Excellence

For this year’s celebration, the Awards Committee felt it necessary to create a new category. The Award of Excellence recognizes volunteers who have served the KDHA for many years and in many ways displaying good intentions, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution.

• Helen Racine (25 years) – for numerous years of working at Hey Day in the role of Section Head, nurturing Beth’s Garden, holding plant sales at her home, and more.
• Cecile Prodonick (25+ years) – for service as an active member of the Acton Corner’s Unit, as Treasurer for many years, and developing the Betsy Boxes at Hey Day into an outstanding raffle.
• Catherine Brunton (30 years) – for exceptional devotion, loyal service, and outstanding contributions as President, Life Member, and much more.  Note: this posthumous award was accepted by Catherine’s husband, Doug Brunton.
• Moira Anderson (37 years) – for devoted service and commitment to Spiritual Services at KDH, including sharing her skill as a pianist at the weekly services for inpatients.
• Louise Tallman (40 years) – for exceptional devotion and commitment to the KDHA as President, Life Member, and Ambassador for all of KDH and the Auxiliary.
• Eleanor O’Neil (60+ years) – for six decades of service as one of the founding members, present for each and every Hey Day, baking delicious desserts, and helping in every way possible.

The final speaker of the day was Lana LeClair, KDH’s Vice-President of Corporate Services and the Hospital’s senior leader for the volunteer program. She expressed thanks to everybody who had helped make the 2023 Volunteer Appreciation Tea so memorable, including KDH’s internal volunteer coordinator, Julia Hunter.

“Listening to the number of years each of the volunteers honoured today has devoted to the service of KDH, and letting it really sink in,” said LeClair, “I am just blown away!” Applause and exclamations of agreement followed this comment. The event wrapped up after an additional time for visiting.

ABOUT KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system.

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital

O: 613.258.6133 x 223 | C: 613.914.0195

jread@kdh.on.ca

www.kdh.on.ca

KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO, April 14, 2023 – The Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) Auxiliary has donated $60,000 to the Hospital in the lead-up to National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, 2023.

This year’s annual donation will be used to support the purchase of three new patient beds and a mobile nursing station for the inpatient medical unit, as well as a cardiac monitor for the recovery room.

The gift represents an amazing accomplishment for the KDH Auxiliary whose main fundraising activities were hampered by COVID-19 again in 2022: for the third year in a row they were unable to hold Hey Day, their annual giant garage sale, and were only able to reopen their Café and Gift Shop at KDH mid-way through the year after seeing it shuttered in March 2020 with the onset of the pandemic.

KDH Auxiliary President Linda Carnegie (left) and Treasurer Brenda Steacy (centre) present the volunteer organization’s annual donation to Frank Vassallo, KDH’s CEO

Linda Carnegie, President of the KDH Auxiliary, explained that the sizeable donation was made possible by the generosity of the North Grenville community and the volunteers’ vigorous fundraising efforts, including hosting a very successful British Tea as part of the Quilt Show and International Plowing Match held on the Kemptville Campus in August 2022.

“The Auxiliary is now a very small unit of dedicated members and volunteers,” stated Carnegie. “However,” she added, “I think you will see that we have KDH in our hearts and minds. We work tirelessly to support staff and patients. Our dollars, although modest in the big picture, are dedicated to enhancing hospital services.”

KDH’s Chief Executive Officer, Frank Vassallo, gratefully acknowledged the donation, which brings the Auxiliary’s total contribution since its founding in 1959 to a staggering $1.86 Million.

“Thank you from all KDH staff and physicians to each and every one of our volunteers for your unflagging support,” he said. “We deeply appreciate both your fundraising efforts and your countless hours spent volunteering, either in the hospital or at home, devotedly creating comfort dolls for our smallest patients, fidget quilts for residents with dementia, and colourful gowns for palliative patients. In all these ways and others I haven’t mentioned you make a difference at KDH every day!”

In addition to the reopening of the Auxiliary’s Café and Gift Shop, 2022 saw the return of the volunteers to their previous roles in the hospital, including acting as greeters at the ER entrance, helping on the Interim Long-Term Care/Convalescent Care Unit, tending the hospital gardens, and more. Volunteers also help raise awareness about the Auxiliary by participating in local parades and markets.

Carnegie happily noted that Hey Day is back this year and will be held at a new venue – the North Grenville Municipal Centre – on June 9 and 10, 2023. Arguably the largest garage sale in Ontario, Hey Day requires well over 100 volunteers and months of planning to make it happen, including sorting and displaying the goods donated by the community and then selling them – as well as refreshments and raffle tickets – at the event.

Another volunteer-run event resuming this year is the Memorial Service held at a nearby church in memory of patients who passed away at KDH over the previous year. The service is organized by the Pastoral Care Team and will be held May 11, 2023.

The KDH Auxiliary always welcomes new volunteers, including students. To learn more, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at kdh_volunteer@kdh.on.ca.

During National Volunteer Week, KDH traditionally recognizes its volunteers at an Annual Volunteer Appreciation Tea. This year the event will be held in person, on April 21, 2023.

ABOUT KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system.

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital

O: 613.258.6133 x 223 | C: 613.914.0195

Email: jread@kdh.on.ca

www.kdh.on.ca

MARCH 13, 2023 – Terry MacLellan and his family have lived in Barrhaven for 13 years, but they still think of Winchester District Memorial Hospital as their hospital of choice. In fact, they wouldn’t think twice about driving down Highway 31 for care. Now, Terry says the option to use MyChart to track the care his family receives is an added bonus.

MyChart is a secure online portal that enables patients to see and manage their personal health information anytime, anywhere. Three local hospitals are now offering this new option to their patients.

Pictured (l-r): Terry, Andrea, Scott, Courtney MacLellan

As part of the Epic digital health network joined by Deep River & District Hospital, Kemptville District Hospital, and Winchester District Memorial Hospital late last year, patients can now have greater access to their own information through MyChart. Patients anywhere across the network of hospitals in the Ottawa region can see their own health records, including after-visit summaries, upcoming appointments, test results, progress notes, discharge notes, medical imaging reports, and more. Patients can also record their medications, allergies, and health measurements, such as blood pressure and weight.

Terry says his daughter starting using MyChart first and he signed up following a recent visit to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He was able to compare the test results from before and after a medication change. “It’s all there and it’s pretty cool,” he notes. “It keeps track of your medications, your blood tests and the dates of your procedures. We also get notifications from the app when a test or lab report is in. It’s hard to remember everything but it’s all there and we can share information with one another too.”

To sign up for MyChart, patients need a valid email account and an activation code. There are several options to sign up:

• Ask hospital registration staff to sign you up when you are registering.
• Use the MyChart activation code on your After-Visit Summary.
• Complete a paper form and present government issued photo ID to Health Records to request an activation code. Your activation code will then be emailed to you.

“Signing up for MyChart is easy and I can even use it on my phone,” adds Terry. “I would highly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get on MyChart because it really gives you control of your own health care. We’re going to sign my wife up next!”

The Atlas Alliance network of local hospitals using Epic and MyChart includes Deep River & District Hospital, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, Kemptville District Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, St. Francis Memorial Hospital, University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Winchester District Memorial Hospital. For patients who visit a non-Epic site and would like access to their records, requests can be made through the hospital’s Health Records department.

For more information about how to register for MyChart, please visit your local hospital’s website.

ABOUT DEEP RIVER & DISTRICT HOSPITAL.   The Deep River & District Hospital (DRDH) is a 16-bed acute care hospital located on the wooded banks of the Ottawa River, within the Town of Deep River. DRDH is part of a person-centered campus of care, which also includes the Four Seasons Lodge Long-Term Care Home and the North Renfrew Family Health Team, all on one site. Our campus of care is expanding, innovating, and modernizing to better serve our communities and further our ability to provide excellent, compassionate care, every time. Supported by a dedicated team of employees and physicians, DRDH is committed to advancing our mission of caring for every person like a loved one, within an integrated health system. With partners across the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team, DRDH is collaborating on new models of health care delivery that put patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system. Accreditation Canada has recognized the organization’s clinical and operational performance with its highest rating, Exemplary Standing. For more information about DRDH, visit www.drdh.org.

Media contact: Amy Joyce: 613.584.3333 x 7100 | amy.joyce@drdh.org

ABOUT KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL.   Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system. For more information about KDH services, visit www.kdh.on.ca.

Media contact: Jenny Read: 613.258.6133 x 223 |  jread@kdh.on.ca

ABOUT WINCHESTER DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.   We’re here for you! That’s the message from the team at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH). WDMH cares for families throughout our region, with a patient and family-centred approach. It is a full-service hospital from childbirth to seniors’ care – and a hub site for cancer care, dialysis and cataract surgery. WDMH has a 24/7 Emergency Department and Diagnostic Imaging services including digital mammography and CT scans. Day surgery and specialty clinics, with visiting specialists from Ottawa hospitals, mean that patients can receive care without travelling to the city. Research and education initiatives drive quality and best practices. WDMH has an award-winning reputation for compassionate excellence. For more information about WDMH services, visit www.wdmh.on.ca

Media contact: Jane Adams: 613.729.4864 | jadams@wdmh.on.ca

KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO, MARCH 9, 2023 – After two and a half years, 33,000 COVID tests and 44,000 COVID vaccinations, the North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre (NGCAC) in Kemptville is closing on March 31, 2023.

“I’m so grateful to our staff, physicians and partners for their commitment to providing COVID testing and assessment in this area as long as it was needed,” said Dr. Suzanne Rutherford, the NGCAC’s Clinical Lead since its inception.

Thanks to the collaboration of a number of community partners, the NGCAC opened its doors for COVID testing on September 24, 2020 on the Kemptville Campus. Several months later, the community partners set up a Vaccination Site, which operated at the North Grenville Municipal Centre from February 2021 to March 2022.

The North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre will close its doors March 31, 2023.

“I am very proud of our community that came together to establish the North Grenville COVID-19 Assessment Centre and Vaccination Site,” said Frank J. Vassallo, CEO of Kemptville District Hospital and NGCAC Co-Lead.  “Specifically, our great Primary Care Physicians, the Municipality of North Grenville, Kemptville Campus, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, numerous allied health professionals, and KDH. I’d like to thank Dr. Suzanne Rutherford for her excellent leadership in developing and operating, with her team, the Assessment Centre and Vaccination Site. I’d also like to recognize our MPP Steve Clark and Mayor Nancy Peckford, whose excellent advocacy in the early days of our efforts to establish a local assessment centre were vital to our cause. We are stronger together!”

Following its opening, the NGCAC quickly garnered media attention for its ticketing process, which was inspired by Disney’s FastPass virtual queue system. Patients received time-stamped tickets on arrival and then left the Centre, returning during their assigned time window. This creative model, devised by Dr. Rutherford, enabled the NGCAC to operate very efficiently, testing a large volume of patients.

One month after opening, the NGCAC transitioned to a full assessment and treatment centre, offering physician assessment, COVID testing, and treatment for respiratory illness. “We are proud we were able to help preserve hospital ER capacity for other emergencies during this critical time,” said Dr. Rutherford.

The NGCAC also set up and operated  the Southwest Ottawa Test Centre in Richmond, Ontario in April and May of 2021, and a pop-up testing centre in Stittsville, Ontario in December 2021. That same month, the NGCAC transitioned from a testing centre to a ‘do it yourself’ collection centre to limit exposure risk for its staff as cases were rising dramatically.

The NGCAC pivoted again in November 2022, increasing its hours to help manage the challenging viral season resulting from the early annual arrival of influenza combined with a resurgence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as well as the continued spread of COVID-19. 30 appointments per day were available for patients presenting with Febrile Respiratory Illness (FRI) symptoms seeking physician assessment.

“Our doctors, nurses and other staff will never forget the support of the North Grenville community,” said Sara Paquin, the NGCAC’s Administration Lead. “When we were screening patients outdoors during the fall and winter of 2020, Kemptville Building Centre BMR built us a large heated shed to protect us from the elements.”

“Then there were all the businesses that supported us with nourishment,” Paquin continued. “Brewed Awakenings brought us coffee and treats every week for the entire two and a half years of our operations!” She also noted that Shoeless Joe’s sent over lunch once a week during the busiest periods, and The Crusty Baker provided coffee and treats for more than a year. “Other businesses that lifted our spirits and warmed our bellies were Mr. Mozzarella, The Brigadoon, Fat Les’s, The Station, and Brinston General Store,” Paquin added.

For more information, please contact –

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

Kemptville District Hospital

jeread@kdh.on.ca