News and Updates from the HHHS Foundation
Recent News
HHHS Foundation Capital Campaign Chair announced
January 12, 2024
CT Scan and Mammography one step closer to reality for the Highlands
Tayce Wakefield, an experienced campaign volunteer and long-time resident of the Highlands, has agreed to assume the lead volunteer role in the upcoming Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF, the Foundation) capital campaign. At the same time, the Foundation announced early results of the Believe in the Magic Giving Holiday Campaign.
The campaign will focus on raising the funds required for the purchase and installation of new life-saving CT Scan and technologically-advanced Mammography equipment to be located at the Haliburton HHHS site. Local access to this diagnostic equipment will decrease turnaround times for diagnoses, reduce the requirement for and environmental costs of patient travel, and reduce the number of land and air EMS transfers.
“We are thrilled that Tayce has agreed to take on this significant role to move the campaign forward,” says David Blodgett, HHHSF Chair. “She has been part of the Highlands for 30+ years and understands the importance of high-quality health care services close to home.” Supported by HHHSF staff and volunteers including the Board, Tayce will lead a team of volunteers committed to the campaign's success.
“These technologies will make an important difference for full-time and seasonal residents. I look forward to working with volunteers and staff to expand the base of financial support across the Highlands community, raise the necessary funds, and help position HHHS for the future”, said Tayce Wakefield.
Along with the announcement of the Campaign Chair came the news about the results of the Believe in the Magic of Giving Holiday Campaign that included a matching gift of up to $50,000 from Walter Ozog in honour of his wife Anu Kerstin Lellep and his parents Sophia and Martin. The Magic of Giving total as of January 10 is over $238,000.
“Diagnostic imaging is more than a piece of technology.” says Veronica Nelson, President and CEO of Haliburton Highlands Health Services. Appointed to the role in early December, she has more than 30 years of experience in diagnostic imaging, was a member of the HHHS team in the past and has championed the need for modern diagnostic services in the Highlands for more than a decade. “Seeing CT and mammography come to life in the Highlands is an incredible step forward to optimize health and wellbeing in Haliburton County.”
Given the aging population in the Highlands along with the abundance of high-risk work and recreational activities in the area, having diagnostic services available close by will provide quick diagnosis of critical illnesses and injuries. The information from diagnostic scans is sent to what is called the Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS) that stores and allows specialists across Ontario to securely evaluate images and provide the diagnosis to the Highlands health care team ensuring access to the best care as quickly as possible.
“I am energized by the response I’ve received about the upcoming improvements in diagnostic services in the County,” says HHHSF Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong. “The early support from the County and people like Walter Ozog who understand the importance of health care close by, have set a solid pace for the early stage of our $4.3-million campaign.”
The Ontario Ministry of Health approved HHHS to purchase and operate the CT Scanner and technologically-advanced Mammography in July. The County of Haliburton approved a $1-million grant to support the purchase and installation of the equipment in December 2023.
On November 28, 2023, the HHHS Foundation was thrilled to announce that Wally Ozog, a long-time time supporter of the HHHS Foundation will match Believe in the Magic of Giving donations starting on Giving Tuesday. In honour of his late partner, Anu Kerstin Lellep and his parents Sophia and Martin, Wally will match up to $50,000 toward this year’s holiday campaign.
Wally's personal connection to HHHS and his desire to give back to the community demonstrates the positive impact that individuals can have when they come together for a common cause. This kind of support is crucial to fostering a healthy community and to building the resources needed to support wellness throughout Haliburton County.
The HHHS Foundation is incredibly grateful for Wally's commitment and for the generosity of all those who contribute to the Believe in the Magic of Giving campaign.
Thank you, Wally, for your inspiring gift and for helping for helping us make Magic all year long. Donations can be made by clicking on the "Donate Now" button above.
August 11, 2023
The 17th Annual Highlands Health Radiothon will return on August 17th & 18th from 6am-6pm, on 93.5 MooseFM. The Highlands Health Radiothon is fundraising in support of HHHS Community Support Service transportation needs – helping to ensure residents can get to and from life-saving medical appointments.
Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) Community Support Services helps seniors and adults living with disabilities travel to and from medically-required appointments and social services. The need for transportation within the county is ever increasing and the current fleet of vehicles is not meeting the demand. The support and access these vehicles provide are vitally important for the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable population. Community Support Services’ (CSS) primary goal is to support their clients in maintaining and/or improving their independence as long as they wish to remain home. The CSS transportation team is often the first point of contact for those in need of services. We are raising funds to increase the fleet of reliable vehicles to meet the increased need and to ensure people can attend vital medical and social services appointments.
Amanda Rowden, Client Service Manager & Community Liaison for Community Support Services, Adult Day Program, Assisted Living and Supportive Housing says “we have seen a 30% increase in individual appointments since last year, and we are having to tell people we are unable to provide transportation in their time of need. Transportation is a major barrier for many folks in the county to receive vital health care services including cancer care, dialysis, day surgeries and mental health supports. The community needs more than what we have on the road right now.”
STATS
- Current fleet:
- 2015- Mercedes Benz – with wheelchair conversion, passenger vehicle
- 2016-Chevy City Express LT – Meals on Wheels cargo van
- 2018-Dodge Promaster – with wheelchair conversion, passenger vehicle
- # of passenger trips
- April 2021 to March 2022 - 7335 trips
- April 2022 to March 2023 - 8489 trips
- April 2023 to June 2023 - 2678 trips
- PROJECTED April 2023 to March 2024 - 10,712 trips
Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong shares, “This is a strong community that supports each other and HHHS Community Support Services does an amazing job of helping people stay in their homes as long as possible, providing vital services for vulnerable seniors and adults. These services are bolstered by the unwavering volunteer drivers and staff who help people get to appointments – but it is not enough. We are hoping to bring together this tightknit community and visitors alike to support local health care needs in Haliburton County.
The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation staff and volunteers are excited to partner with 93.5 MooseFM to bring awareness to one of the many areas of local health care that needs our financial support. Together, let’s use this two-day event to celebrate access to transportation with those who live, play and listen in Haliburton County.
Please encourage your friends, neighbours and communities to support! Join us by listening, donating, presenting a challenge or providing a prize to encourage others to pledge their support.
How you can participate:
- Call to donate: 705-457-1580
- Donate online: https://www.hhhs.ca/foundation/give
- Sponsor an hour: call now while supplies last
- Spread the word: Amplify our reach by sharing our posts on social media. You can find us on Facebook @hhhsf and on Instagram @hhhsfoundation
Join us onsite at 152 Highland Street and tune in to 93.5 MooseFM for a fun-filled 2-day marathon of supporting folks who love to live in Haliburton County. Together, we can make a difference in our community’s health services.
Moose FM Radiothon raises more than $33,000 for HHHSF
Friday August 18th, 2023 Article by Martin Halek
June 26, 2023
Dear Residents, Cottagers and Visitors,
Now more than ever there is reason to care for each other. As the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation we are very aware of how our actions affect others in all of the communities that we serve.
The Foundation is deeply concerned for the community, and the individuals who are affected by the recent changes. And we are in awe of how neighbours have come together to support one another at this time and are grateful that people are looking out for each other.
We are also unbelievably thankful to the health care workers who continue to support our health care needs. We don’t know what we would do without them.
We want to continue to support our community and our health care teams the only way we can - by raising funds for equipment and services that are not funded by the government or government agencies.
The needs of our community are continuing to grow and the recent events in local health care shows us that we need to increase our investment in care. We will do whatever we can to provide additional support to keep health care in our county, especially emergency care.
The HHHS Foundation is not involved in operations; we are an independent fundraising not-for-profit created to financially support areas of Haliburton Highlands Health Services that are not funded by the government. We continue to raise funds for equipment that will help health care workers be their best and to help in the efforts to bring more qualified workers to the county. We can’t affect wages for workers but we can give them the tools to be their best.
We support community members who need help through programs like Meals on Wheels and Medically Required Transportation so that they can enjoy a few hot meals a month or get to important life-saving appointments. We also help our two long term care facilities and staff education. All of this is made possible through the generosity of residents and cottagers alike.
We hope that you can find a moment in the next little while to provide additional care and kindness to your community and your local health care teams. To financially support these efforts, donations can be made on the hhhs.ca/foundation website or through our events and campaigns which will continue to run throughout the summer months and beyond.
Your support and care, however big or small, is greatly appreciated.
With Respect,
Board of Directors
HHHS Foundation