Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) is proud to invest in the delivery of healthcare services in Prince Edward County by funding several pieces of urgently needed, lifesaving equipment.

In 2021, we lived through a worldwide pandemic for a second year in a row. And yet, this did not stop all of our incredibly generous supporters from making a donation to the PECMH Foundation.

Thanks to the outpouring of support from the community, PECMHF disbursed $333,261 for priority equipment needs in its 2021/22 fiscal year for Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (QHC PECMH) and the Quinte region.

Today, PECMHF recognized the generosity of our Prince Edward County community by celebrating the equipment funds that have been transferred to QHC.

These donations equipped QHC PECMH’s Endoscopy Department with a new defibrillator and portable cardiac monitor and bought a portable blood analyzer for the Emergency Department. The ultrasound machine, which will benefit over 2,200 patients annually was purchased along with an Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) that cleans and disinfects gastroscopes and colonoscopes. New bariatric stretchers were added to the fleet and the workstation to review mammographic images was replaced.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital continues to serve the medical needs of our community and the greater Quinte region every day through the support of our donors,” said Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. “We know these are extraordinary times that require extraordinary support. From managing evolving health care needs, to ensuring the proper equipment is available for the medical staff, we know having access to this equipment will have a positive impact on our patients, their families and caregivers.” 

The PECMH Auxiliary stepped forward and contributed towards five pieces of equipment. The Rotary Club of Wellington pledged support for the Automated Endoscope Reprocessor and donor support, together with $25,000 from the DiBattista family of Picton and proceeds from the Teeing Up Fore Health Care golf classic held in September 2021 purchased the ultrasound machine.

“Ensuring QHC PECMH has the necessary equipment to provide the best health care possible in our community is our top priority,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “We are grateful to everyone who donated. Our donors continue to prove just what a philanthropic community Prince Edward County is. We remain humbled by this generosity and the influence our donors have on the safe delivery of health care services across the region.”

“The medical team appreciates the role PECMHF plays in helping to connect health services and the community. Their efforts ensure we are supported with priority equipment, facility enhancements and other projects in our hospital,” said Dr. Sarah Le Blanc, medical lead at QHC PECMH. “The foundation also looks into the future with us. We work in partnership with them as we plan for future needs including building redevelopments, and their contributions help to ensure our medical staff have access to leading edge equipment and technology that contribute to making better-informed care decisions with our patients.”

PECMHF and QHC are working together, with a shared goal of providing better, more coordinated care, locally and across the region. During the 2021/22 fiscal year, PECMHF transferred their second $20,000.00 installment toward a $100,000 pledge to QHC to assist with the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) renovations at QHC Belleville General Hospital.

Stacey Daub, QHC’s president and CEO stated, “We are grateful to the PECMH Foundation and the donors in our community for their amazing support. Our County hospital is integral to the health and wellness of our community and this equipment funding will support our teams to deliver great care, close to home, including for residents from across the region. We are inspired by the many generous donors who are committed to making local health care accessible and to providing our teams with leading edge equipment to serve our patients.”

The PECMHF is embarking on a new campaign to raise $1,874,750 for priority equipment needed at QHC PECMH in the 2022/23 fiscal year. Some of the items include an Echocardiogram (ECG) machine, a new X-Ray machine, a borescope and two new SMART beds.

“Thank you to our donors for helping PECMHF serve our communities throughout the ups and downs of this past year. With your support, we will hit the ground running and we are ready to face whatever comes next in 2022,” said McConnell. “Our community of donors continue to make incredible, innovative care more accessible to all. Thank you so much!”

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