Local hospital foundations unite forming WRHN Foundation

The merging of two local hospitals in Waterloo Region has now led to a new foundation to support healthcare in the community.

St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation and Grand River Hospital Foundation have come together to form Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (WRHN Foundation).

“This is an exciting moment for our region,” says Tobi Day-Hamilton, chair, WRHN Foundation board and former board chair, Grand River Hospital Foundation.

“By joining forces, we’re creating a stronger foundation for our donors, community members and our hospital partner. Together, we can make an even bigger difference in our community and bring even more support to our hospital network.”

A release from the WRHN Foundation says the unified group will help bring advanced medical equipment to Waterloo Region, equipment, which isn’t funded by the Ministry of Health.

It will also “support innovative research and fund specialized programs … provide resources for facility upgrades, education for healthcare workers and community health initiatives that extend care beyond our hospital walls,” reads the release.

The new hospital foundation will focus primarily on needs at WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital), WRHN @ Queen’s Boulevard (formerly St. Mary’s) and WRHN @ Chicopee (formerly Grand River Hospital, Freeport Campus), as well as planning for future needs at the new hospital at the University of Waterloo.

Last year alone, both Grand River Hospital Foundation and St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation raised more than $33 million.

“Our entire community benefits from this decision,” said Greg Brooks, former board chair, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation. “A unified foundation sets the stage for us to raise funds on a larger scale and deliver better outcomes for patients.”

Now that the two hospitals and foundations have joined as one, the next step is bringing in the first CEO of WRHN Foundation.

The search for that is said to start soon.