NHH AGM was a story of challenges met

By Cecilia Nasmith

If the June 17 Northumberland Hills Hospital annual general meeting had a theme, it was of challenges tackled and met.

The AGM was hosted virtually on Zoom, with board chair Pam Went welcoming about 50 on-line attendees – board members, community committee members, hospital staff and physician and invited guests – to look back on a year that spanned three waves of a global pandemic. Many had unique perspectives to share, along with lessons learned that will be carried forward as the vaccines gain hold and the community emerges together from COVID-19.

Finance and Audit Committee Chair Tom McLean presented financial statements for the year ended March 31 (available on the NHH website), and reported good news.

“Despite the many challenges presented by the global pandemic, NHH finished the year in a positive position with a net surplus of $3.1-million, 3.5% of total revenues and realization of a goal – identified through the 2016-17 Hospital Improvement Plan process – to maintain a modest annual surplus as a key ingredient for long-term financial sustainability,” McLean said.

He attributed the surplus to late-fiscal funding from the Ministry of Health for COVID-related expenditures.

Representing NHH auditor, Lori Huber added a positive auditors' report to the proceedings, after which KPMG LLP were reappointed as auditors for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

The hospital's 2020-2021 Annual Report to the Community was released at the meeting, and Went offered her personal commendations to a number of partners, including the NHH Foundation.

“In the past year alone, the NHH Foundation raised more than $3-million to support the purchase of life-saving medical equipment to help keep quality patient care close to home,” she said.

“You have now accepted the biggest challenge of your history, a new capital campaign led by an exceptional choice in campaign chair, Hank Vandermeer.

“We simply couldn't be the hospital we are today, or strive to be tomorrow, without the NHH Foundation's on-going support and the support of all the donors you rally. We are grateful to the members of your foundation board, your network of volunteers, your Executive Director Rhonda Cunningham and the foundation staff for their tireless efforts.”

Went noted that the important volunteer roles played by members of the NHH Auxiliary underwent a transformation over the past year.

“COVID restrictions meant volunteers could not be on-site as they would be normally for much of this past year,” she explained.
“NHH has greatly missed the contribution of the NHH auxiliary to the patient and staff experience.

“The team looks forward to the return of the auxiliary volunteers in their burgundy tabards when the lifting of COVID precautions permits. The care provided at NHH is better for your contributions, and we look forward to the renewed relationship with the auxiliary as restrictions lift and your new governance structure rolls out in the year ahead,”

Went said that the board of directors and community members “made the transition to virtual without missing a beat, and I know NHH is grateful for that.

“Likewise, the Patient and Family Advisory Council volunteers did the same,” she added, referring everyone to that body's annual report.

The board will be losing two long-time members.

Ann Logan was thanked for dedicating 13 years of service to the hospital, both on the foundation and more recently on the board.

Bob Carman was recognized for almost a decade of service on the board and his wise counsel in that capacity.

Chief of Staff Dr. Mukesh Bhargava was thanked for his leadership, both at NHH and in the community. As his four-year term expires, Went confirmed that he has agreed to a second term.

“We are very fortunate to have you at our table, and we look forward to your counsel in the years ahead,” she said.

Not continuing will be President and Chief Executive Officer Linda Davis who has announced her retirement after seven of the most challenging years NHH has seen.

“Linda's achievements are many – financial stability, enhanced services to meet the needs of our growing and diverse population, strategic capital improvements, the Ontario Health Team-Northumberland – an innovative model of care delivery that she championed from the start – and finally a culture of teamwork that is inclusive of health- and social-care providers and the patients and families we serve,” Went listed.

“Linda, the board is extremely grateful for the expertise you brought to this role, the vision you have had for continuously building on NHH's rich history and your tireless – and I do mean tireless – dedication. We thank you for your service. You go with our sincere best wishes for a long and healthy retirement, and our gratitude for leaving NHH the strong and resilient hospital it is today.”

Davis responded with a thank-you to NHH staff and physicians.

“You are truly my heroes,” she declared.

“You have been steadfast through the past 15 months of the pandemic, always providing excellent, compassionate care. And all the while, coping with your own home-life challenges.

“Through everything, you have put NHH first, and for that I an deeply appreciative.”

Davis also recognized the many partners NHH has worked with in the community, such as members of the OHT-N and others who came through in helping procure personal protective equipment and assisting at the NHH assessment centre, the Canton testing centre and the mass vaccination clinic for seniors aged 80-plus. She also thanked the board of directors, the leadership team and the community at large, saying, “We are truly stronger together.”

Past board chair Elizabeth Selby reported from the board's nominating committee, endorsing their recommendation that Bree Nixon of Ward 1 and Ward 3's Sharon Anderson and Ross Stevenson be elected for three-year terms.

Also approved for three-year terms were the reappointments of Cyndi Gilmer (Ward 1), Starr Olsen (Ward 2) and Pam Went (Ward 3).

Finally came two reappointments of ex officio board members for one-year terms – Chief of Staff Dr. Mukesh Bhargava and Vice-President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive Susan Walsh.

At the board meeting immediately following the AGM, Went was appointed unanimously as board chair for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, as were first vice-chair Elizabeth Selby and second vice-chair David Slater. Two new community members were also welcomed – Myles Noel and Laurel Savoy.

For more information on the board of directors, visit nhh.ca (under the Accountability tab).

As well, the 2020-21 Annual Report to the Community is also on the hospital website, with copies in alternate formats available upon request to the hospital's Public Affairs office (905-377-7757).