$500K is pivotal donation to get a CT Scanner in the new hospital

Pictured on the future site of the new hospital at PECMH, from left, are: 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,  community member; Stacey Daub, president and CEO of Quinte Health and Peggy Payne, vice chairperson of the PECMH Foundation. – Briar Boyce photo

A $500,000 commitment from Norm Ritchie and Monique Postlewaite, of Picton, not only gave an enormous boost to the fundraising campaign for a CT Scanner for Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital – the couple is pivotal to the quest for a scanner in the County in the first place.

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.

“Currently, our patients need to travel to other facilities to receive a CT scan – more than 2,150 times annually,” said Shannon Coull, The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) executive director. “Having a CT scanner at the new hospital will provide timely access to critical diagnostic health services. 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 a CT scanner but at that time it was not in the plans. As the couple 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 the hospital foundation’s fundraising requirements for the CT scanner.”

“As a physician, I know how important a tool like a CT scanner is for delivering safe, quality, and timely care,” said Dr. Vivek Singh, Chief of Radiology at Quinte Health. “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.”

Picton residents Murray and Julie Lupenette know first-hand the benefits of having a CT scanner close to home. After fainting at home, Julie received care at PECMH then 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. 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.”

The Back the Build campaign cabinet, comprising a group of 11 community volunteers, is raising funds to ensure the new hospital is outfitted with the latest medical technology and equipment.

Some $27M is being raised for the new 96k square foot hospital – scheduled to open in 2027, with shovels anticipated to go into the ground in the fall of 2024.

The $27M is expected to cover 10 per cent of the bricks and mortar component of the hospital build and 100 per cent of the medical equipment. The other 90 per cent of the hard construction costs will be covered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).

“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.”

In thanking Norm and Monique for their significant gift, the foundation also acknowledges the generosity of others which together have raised $2.6M toward the CT scanner. (Its full cost to be known when a contractor is named.)

“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,” said 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.”

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

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