PICTON, May 10, 2024 – People in Prince Edward County will benefit from a new leading-edge computerized tomography (CT) scanner to be installed in the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH).

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) announced fundraising for the CT Scanner has kicked off with a $500,000 commitment from Norm Ritchie and Monique Postlewaite of Picton. This generous donation supports the purchase and installation of this essential diagnostic tool to be implemented in the new hospital.

A CT scanner allows doctors to see inside the body using a combination of X-rays and computer images to create pictures of organs, bones, and other tissues. Having a CT scanner at the new PECMH will provide timely access to critical diagnostic health services for residents of Prince Edward County (PEC). Currently, patients need to travel to other facilities to receive a CT scan over 2,150 times annually.

“This is wonderful news!” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMHF. “Norm and Monique’s transformational gift is making this much-needed medical service a reality for PEC.”

In the fall of 2022, Dr. Norma Charriére introduced Norm and her sister, Monique, to Coull to explore a gift to the foundation’s Back the Build campaign. Discussions ensued about implementing a CT scanner in our new hospital. At that time, a CT scanner was not planned for the new PECMH. After Norm and Monique expressed interest in investing in a CT scanner, they became the catalyst for Quinte Health to make a case to the Ministry of Health to approve this diagnostic tool coming to the new PECMH.

“Monique and I are delighted that a CT scanner will be available in our community,” said Ritchie. “The hospital has been supported over the years through the generosity of many. We are so pleased to make this gift to kick off the hospital foundation’s fundraising requirements for the CT scanner.”

Picton residents Murray and Julie Lupenette know firsthand the benefits of having a CT scanner close to home. After fainting at home, Julie received care at PECMH. She has had to travel to Trenton for CT scans to follow up.

“Having a CT suite in our new hospital will help many community members get the answers they need sooner. Residents requiring a CT scan must travel to another hospital and await the results. A CT scanner in our new hospital will mean faster diagnoses for patients when every second counts,” said Murray Lupenette. “This addition is an incredible win for our County and reflects the community’s commitment to enhance local access to excellent healthcare.”

“As a physician, I know how important a tool like a CT scanner is for delivering safe, quality, and timely care. Beyond the immediate benefits for PEC residents requiring a CT scan, adding this service in our new hospital will also free up patient transfer resources and improve response times as there will be less need to transfer patients who require an urgent scan. It will also help reduce wait times significantly for the region with additional capacity available within Quinte Health,” said Dr. Vivek Singh, Chief of Radiology at Quinte Health.

Norm and Monique’s gift has inspired others to give, helping the PECMHF to raise $2.6M toward the cost of the CT Scanner. In thanking Norm and Monique for their significant gift, the foundation also wishes to acknowledge the generosity of those who contributed to the fundraising effort to date.

“The foundation wishes to acknowledge the tireless dedication and hard work of those who have advocated for a local CT scanner with us. The new CT scanner is a testament to enhanced healthcare accessibility in our region. It brings accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and improved patient outcomes, transforming the lives of individuals within the community. The foundation is proud to be part of purchasing a potentially life-saving technology.”

The Back the Build campaign cabinet, comprising a group of 11 prominent volunteers from the community, is raising funds to ensure our new hospital is outfitted with the latest medical technology and equipment, allowing our healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care close to home.

“The addition of a CT scanner is great news for people living in The County and will provide easier access to much-needed healthcare services. The Back the Build campaign cabinet is tremendously grateful to Norm and Monique’s vision to help bring a CT scanner to PECMH,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “We are extremely grateful for everyone who has contributed to our campaign, and we are eager and excited for the staff and physicians to have the major medical equipment available in our new hospital, which will enhance the high-quality care PECMH is already known for.”

PECMHF hopes to raise the balance needed for the CT scanner through the Bid for the Build art auction on June 1 at Picton’s Crystal Palace. People interested in the art can register early bids online today until Wednesday, May 29, at www.32auctions.com/bidforthebuild2024.

“Having a CT Scanner at PECMH is a huge win for Prince Edward County and a big support to our commitment to provide high-quality care close to home,” explains Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health. “I am incredibly grateful to Norm and Monique for their generous support, to Dr. Charriere  for her dedicated and compassionate leadership, and to the Foundation for being such outstanding partners and exceptional stewards for all hospital donations.”

For more information about Bid for the Build, visit www.pecmhf.ca/bid-for-the-build.

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 the patients of the hospital. 

Photo: Pictured on the future site of the new hospital at PECMH from left: James Russell, director of diagnostic imaging at Quinte Health; Barbara McConnell, chairperson of the PECMH Foundation; Ann Galvin, PECMHF board member; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson; Matthew Campbell, vice president and chief transformation officer at Quinte Health; Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation; Lisa O’Toole, board chairperson at Quinte Health; Norm Ritchie, donor; Monique Postlewaite, donor, Dr. Norma Charriere; Murray Lupenette, grateful patient and community member; Stacey Daub, president and CEO of Quinte Health and Peggy Payne, vice chairperson of the PECMH Foundation.