Two giant milestones are coming up for the Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary – their 100th-anniversary year in 2023, and fulfillment of their million-dollar pledge in support of the hospital's new digital Clinical Information System (the largest commitment the group has ever made to a single project).
The Epic CIS was introduced in early December at seven partner hospital organizations representing 14 Central East Ontario hospitals (including NHH).
In addition to increasing clinicians' access to real-time information to help improve patient outcomes, as well as providing access to standardized tools and processes that will reduce duplication, streamline processes and improve results, the new CIS also provides a single unified personal health record for each patient.
NHH Auxiliary Chair Selena Forsyth first heard of the project in 2015.
“We were excited by the possibilities,” Forsyth said in the press release.
“With an understanding of the benefits the new CIS would bring to our community, the Auxiliary executive at the time decided to help make this project a reality.”
Their commitment was to direct a portion of their fundraising efforts towards the CIS, planning to contribute $500,000 over a five-year period. They subsequently decided to increase this to $1-million over a 10-year period.
They find themselves ahead of this goal, with more than $800,000 already contributed to the hospital and plans for the remainder to be contributed in 2023.
As the Auxiliary shared its plans at the February Northumberland Hills Hospital board meeting, Chair Pam Went paid tribute to their efforts.
“I would be surprised if any other hospital auxiliary made a commitment to CIS like you have,” Went stated.
“It certainly shows leadership and foresight and recognition of what's important for the hospital and the delivery of health care.”
The NHH Auxiliary mission is to provide effective and compassionate assistance to visitors, staff and patients in an environment that promotes the dignity and well-being of all. With some 255 members of all ages, they contribute thousands of hours of service to the hospital each year by supporting patient care in 15 different areas throughout the hospital, as well as through their fundraising activities. Along with creating and selling hand-crafted items, this includes operating two retail operations – the Little Treasure Shop, located inside the hospital adjacent to the reception desk, and the Petticoat Lane thrift shop on Monroe Street in Cobourg.
At the February board meeting, Forsyth gave an idea of the kind of whole-hearted support the community gives to Petticoat Lane. Coming out of COVID-19 lockdown, the store had been open only six days between Jan. 20 and the meeting, she said, and its net take for those six days had been an amazing $3,515.
COVID has also forced pauses and adjustments to many volunteer roles within the hospital itself. But despite challenges faced, this organization retains its dedication and, next year, will celebrate its 100th year of helping support quality health care in West Northumberland.
At the board meeting, Forsyth recalled that the inaugural meeting of what was then known as the Ladies' Auxiliary was held Nov. 30, 1923. That makes Nov. 30, 2023, their 100th anniversary.
In the press release, NHH President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh noted that the auxiliary has helped shape the hospital into the place it is today.
“We cannot thank them enough for their on-going dedication,” Walsh said.
“We have truly missed having their presence in the hospital at various times throughout the past two years, but their commitment to, and support of, this hospital and the patients and families we serve has remained steadfast.
“Our clinical transformation was a massive undertaking, and we are grateful to have partners like the Auxiliary and NHH Foundation standing alongside us in bringing this modern system to our community.”
In addition to support from the NHH Auxiliary, funding for the Epic CIS is a key pillar of an upcoming fundraising campaign by the NHH Foundation that promises to be the largest capital campaign in the hospital – and Northumberland County's history.
“Keeping our hospital well equipped with advanced technology requires on-going investment,” Foundation Executive Director Rhonda Cunningham said in the announcement.
“The Auxiliary has demonstrated time and time again throughout their history the difference a committed service organization can make. This gift is one of sweat equity, and it is through the team's dedication and hard work they are well on their way to meeting their goal – and in a milestone year nonetheless!
“We're hopeful other community organizations will be inspired by this mighty group of volunteers and will join us in ensuring our exceptional community continues to have access to exceptional care.”
