PICTON, June 27, 2024 – One of the Rotary Club of Wellington’s most influential volunteers is the recipient of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (PECMHF) Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award (LFDSA).

PECMHF former Board Member Leo Finnegan and Executive Director Shannon Coull presented this year’s award at the board’s annual meeting in Picton on June 27, 2024, honouring David Smith as the third recipient of the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award.

Inspired by its first recipient, The Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who, through their ongoing loyalty, commitment, outstanding contribution, and service, have shown dedication to and support for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, its vision, mission, and strategic imperatives and priorities.

Smith was chosen to be recognized for this year’s award because of his commitment and influential leadership for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Rotary Club of Wellington.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to formally recognize the achievements of such an exceptional and dedicated volunteer, David Smith,” said Coull. “David has provided sustained service, unwavering commitment and philanthropic leadership to PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign through the Rotary Club of Wellington, and it is fitting that he has been selected to be honoured with this award.”

Smith’s nomination was advanced by Back the Build Campaign Chairperson Nancy Parks and Mike Lattner a Past President of the Rotary Club of Wellington. Parks stated Smith focused on the Rotary Club of Wellington’s campaign to raise funds to Back the Build for a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

Smith advocated for the new hospital and has inspired others to do the same.

“When preparing to submit this nomination, David stood out to me as an individual who has tirelessly given his time and efforts, with tenacity, to secure a fantastic amount of funds for our new hospital (over six years),” she said. “He has worked alongside our campaign cabinet team to support our conversations with individuals and businesses, opening doors for further discussion with possible donors.”

Smith initiated and sustained Wellington Rotary’s commitment to Back the Build for several years. He and his wife Shirley also contributed personally to the campaign. He truly exemplifies the skills, qualities, and actions of the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award, which inspired Lattner to co-nominate with Parks.

“David was the driving force behind Wellington Rotary’s donation of more than $444,000 for a new Prince Edward County hospital,” said Lattner. “David encouraged contacts and friends to contribute to the new hospital and many to pledge annual commitments. In addition, he was instrumental in helping Wellington Rotary to partner with local wineries to produce and sell Wellington Rotary private label wine as a fundraiser for Back the Build. David ensured that a significant portion of the proceeds from our bottle depot were donated to the new hospital annually.”

David Smith worked hard to convince our Rotary Club that they could achieve their donation goal and provided the drive and inspiration to make that happen. David has demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and dedication in all his work.

“I am honoured to be receiving this award. It is fitting that this award, named for Leo Finnegan, would be presented to a Wellington Rotarian as Leo was instrumental in bringing Rotary to Wellington over 22 years ago. His Picton club sponsored our club to join Rotary,” said Smith. “I want to make it clear that I am being recognized with this award for being the person who introduced the idea to the Wellington Rotary Club of raising money for the new hospital, the catalyst, and then helping to do so. The Club then ran with the idea of making it the success it has become. This has been an extremely rewarding experience, and I want to thank my wife, Shirley, for her support. I also thank my nominators and the PECMH Foundation for this significant recognition.”

Established in 2022, the Leo Finnegan Distinguished Service Award is presented to a volunteer who has exhibited exceptional commitment and service to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital and is selected by the PECMHF Board of Directors annually. Any volunteer, hospital staff member, hospital board or committee member, member of the community, or third-party event organizer may be nominated. The award will not be automatically given yearly, only in years when an exceptional person fits the criteria. For more information, visit https://www.pecmhf.ca/distinguished-service-award.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.

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Photo - LFDSA group from left: Leo Finnegan; Peggy Payne, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation; David Smith, winner of the 2024 LFDSA; Mike Lattner, co-nominator, and Wellington Rotarian; and Nancy Parks, co-nominator, and Back the Build campaign chairperson