HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2022

Interview with Darlene Lamberti, Executive Director Centre Grey Health Services Foundation

It is a small unassuming office building in the middle of town, in full view that you are pretty much guaranteed to overlook. However, inside is a buzz of activity.

I am referring to the small building smack dab in the middle of the parking lot across from the Markdale Hospital. In there, the staff of the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation have a mighty mandate every year.

I spent some time with Darlene Lamberti, Executive Director of the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation, and I must admit, in a brief period of time, I learned a great deal about our health care system right here in Centre Grey. I thought I would share some of this information with you.

Q: Darlene, what is Centre Grey Health Services Foundation?

A:  Centre Grey Health Services Foundation is a charitable organization run by a Board of 9 Volunteers and three part time staff. Our goal is to raise funds for the purchase of medical equipment, in both our local hospital and, based on usage, for our regional hospital in Owen Sound. Many people are not aware that the government does not pay for hospital equipment. The COMMUNITY does. The government pays for the operations, but the furniture, fixtures and equipment are all purchased by donation dollars. I do not have to tell you that medical equipment becomes outdated very quickly and new equipment is always needed. Each year Centre Grey Health Services Foundation seeks to raise between $700,000 and $1,000,000 for priority equipment needs in our local and regional hospitals.

Q:  What specific projects are you working on now?

A:  We are currently right in the middle of our $5.7+ Million “Together In Care” campaign where we are raising the remaining funds to build a new hospital here in Markdale that will support all of Centre Grey.  This project has been in the works for almost 20 years! March 1, 2021, the shovel hit the ground and dirt has been flying ever since! This is a game changer for local health care. It will be a state-of-the-art facility and will ensure that excellent health care services are accessible in this community for generations to come. I am so incredibly proud of our donor family for the support they are showing for this project, and I hope to see you all at the open ceremony in mid-2023! We encourage you to visit our campaign website at www.togetherincare.com to learn more and to donate.

In addition to this, we are always looking for volunteers to participate on committees, help with events, work on projects, or become Board members. If you are interested or know of anyone who is, please visit our website for contact information www.cghsfoundation.com

Q:  Any final words?

A:  I just want to thank the entire community for the support you show this Foundation every year.

Every donation you make has a positive and long-lasting impact on local health care, and it feels great to make a difference. A community hospital is only possible with community support, and we are so grateful for yours!

You can learn more about Centre Grey Health Services Foundation by tuning in to the October 14, 2021, edition of the Hello Country podcast.