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Endowments help support hospital foundation programs

'These initiatives are made possible thanks to the generosity of our special donors'
BayToday Staff
20211108 hospital foundation
Acute Inpatient Psychiatry Unit’s Connecting with Technology initiative. Photo submitted.

The North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation is highlighting funding grants for seven projects which they say will enhance patient programs in mental health at the local hospital. 

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) Foundation celebrated announcements with the recipients for the Cunningham Endowment Fund for Mental Health and the Maria MacMillan Endowment Fund for Mental Health. 

“These initiatives are made possible thanks to the generosity of our special donors," said Ann Loyst, Vice President of Mental Health in a release.  

"Annually, the care teams look forward to identifying projects that will maximize the impact for patients with the resources available. It is inspiring that these families have an impact on so many programs and patient care through their endowment funds.”

The Cunningham Endowment Fund for Mental Health was established by Bob Cunningham to celebrate his family and his life’s work as a leader in mental health care management for more than 30 years.

This year the foundation is celebrating a total grant of $1,973 supporting these projects:

  • Acute Inpatient Psychiatry Unit’s Connecting with Technology initiative.
  • Assertive Community Treatment Team’s (ACTT) Living Healthy Program.
  • Mental Health Clinic’s resources for the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder program.

In 2007, the MacMillan family created the Maria MacMillan Endowment Fund for Mental Health in memory of their daughter, serving as both a celebration of her life and a commitment to caring for others. Maria, a Nipissing University graduate with dreams of devoting her life to helping others, passed away on May 6, 2006 after a courageous battle with an eating disorder.

Four grants totaling $3,667 from the Maria MacMillan Endowment are supporting these projects:

  • Acute Inpatient Psychiatry Unit’s Serenity Room Renovation.
  • Birch Lodge’s Social, Recreational and Sensory Stimulation project.
  • Forensic Mental Health’s Empowering Patients Through Technology initiative.
  • Mental Health Clinic’s Day Evening Treatment Program resources.

Hospital Foundations officials note that an Endowment Fund is established through a significant donation that is invested to earn annual interest or income. This income provides ongoing resources to an area of the Health Centre a donor chooses to support.

For more information on supporting an endowment fund, or to establish your own family’s fund, contact the Foundation at 705.495.8125.

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