left to right: Glen Wood (Chair Providence Care Board of Directors), Sister of Providence Sheila Langton (Board member Providence Care Board of Directors), Shelagh Nowlan, (VP, Long-Term Care at Providence Care) and Dale Kenney (Providence Care CEO). All were special guests at the 150th anniversary weekend events May 7th and 8th.
BY SISTER SHEILA LANGTON
Every year for the past 12 years, Providence Care has benefited from a significant fundraising event called Founders’ Dinner. The 12th annual fundraiser on March 26, 2011 was memorable in several ways. The event highlighted the 150th anniversary celebration of Providence Care and its compas-sionate and quality service to residents of Kingston and the surrounding region. It featured keynote speaker, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David C. Onley, who shared his insights and experi-ences as a champion for disability and accessibility issues over many years. MPP for Kingston and the Islands John Gerretsen announced that the Ontario government has approved plans to build a new hospital to replace the aging Mental Health Services and St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital facilities. “Today is a great day for people in Kingston,” said Mr. Gerretsen. “We have fought for this brand new hospital for 12 years. Our voices have been heard and the government is delivering a wonderful present on the 150th anniversary of this fabulous Kingston treasure.” “This is wonderful, fantastic news,” said Dale Kenney, Providence Care President and CEO. “Many people have worked very hard to move our redevelopment project forward. The new hospital will provide an improved care environment for our patients and clients, a better work environment for our hospital staff and allow us to continue to serve the community for years to come.” “Providence Care serves thousands of people from across southeastern Ontario each year,” remarked Glen Wood, Chair of Providence Care Board of Directors. “The new hospital will help our organization meet the needs of patients, clients and their families and to continue to live the Mission of providing enhanced quality of life to those we serve.” The site of the new hospital will be very close to the current location of Providence Care’s Mental Health Services at King Street West, adjacent to Lake Ontario Park. Current plans include 270 inpatient beds, as well as numerous outpatient services. Providence Care will provide specialized mental health, rehabilitation, palliative care, specialized geriatric and complex continuing care programs at the new facility. As a Sister of Providence representing the Sponsor of Providence Care, the Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario, I am confident in Divine Providence to always provide for the sick and elderly. To paraphrase a line from the Mission Statement of my congregation, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul: “Let us continue to serve with compassion, trusting in Providence and walking in hope.”