2007 Dinner

Over $16,000 raised at 9th Foundation Dinner

AMHERST, NS – The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is very pleased with the results of its annual fundraising dinner held on Saturday evening. The event raised over $16,000 to support the Foundation and in particular, to provide funds for the Cumberland Health Care Careers Bursary Program.

In confirming the total amount raised, CHCF Chair, Phyllis Cameron, said it was truly a team effort that brought about such great results. “We had a sell-out crowd which set the stage for a wonderful event,” said Ms. Cameron. “When you add to the audience’s generosity the support from the doctors who were the special guest speakers, the artists, craftspeople and local businesses who donated items for the auction and our numerous volunteers, the result was outstanding”, she said. Ms. Cameron extended special appreciation to Jost Vineyards Limited of Malagash who were the lead sponsor of the evening.

One of the unique items at the auction included a “Blue Nose” quilt made and donated by Foundation chair Cameron – a high point of the auction when it raised more than $2,000 alone for the evening during the bidding session.

Three local physicians spoke to the gathering about the journey that brought them to live and work in Cumberland County. Dr. Manju Abeysekera, originally from Sri Lanka, Dr. Julio Bobadilla, who was born and raised in Cuba, and Dr. Barry Nuechterlein, who is a native of Columbus, Ohio, spoke of their medical training, the places they had lived and worked prior to coming to Canada and also about their experiences here in the local area. It was also noted that Cumberland County boasts a wealth of experience within the medical community from at least 20 countries other than Canada.

2007 Distinguished Service Award
Morris J. Haugg was honored at the event with the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award. For full details please click here.

Our Speakers
Family Physician Dr. Julio Bobadilla-Martinez came to Cumberland County in 2001. A native of Cuba, Dr. Bobadilla received his medical training at the Higher Institute of Medical Science in Havana which included rotating internships including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and family medicine. This six-year program followed three years of secondary school and three years of pre-university studies to receive a Bachelor of Science.

Prior to coming to Canada, Dr. Bobadilla practiced in Cuba, Zambia and Eastern Cape, South Africa. Dr. Bobadilla moved to Montreal from South Africa and finally made his way to Amherst where he has a busy family practice at the Amherst Family Health Centre and does regular rotation in the emergency department at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. Outside of work hours, “Dr. Bob” has an interest in music, playing chess and soccer.

Dr. Barry Nuechterlein was born in Columbus, Ohio and attended Rockford Lutheran High School in Rockford, Illinois, He went on to Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology following which he attended Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine where his M.D. was conferred.

Dr. Nuechterlein completed his internship at MacNeal Memorial Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois and his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Prior to coming to Cumberland County, he was clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology at Ohio State University Medical Center.

Dr. Nuechterlein came to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in 2006.

Dr. Manju Abeysekera, a native of Sri Lanka, graduated from the University of Ceylon and worked for several years at hospitals in Colombo in his home country. He then completed his residency training in anesthetics at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berks. He did post-graduate clinical training at Wrexham Medical Institute in Wales and intern trainings at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Abeysekera, who has been living and working in Nova Scotia since 1988, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anesthetists of the United Kingdom and holds a Diploma in Anesthesia from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He has also served as a lecturer at Dalhousie University. He came to the Cumberland Health Authority in 2004 from Capital Health where he had been working at both the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and the Hants Community Hospital in Windsor.

“Dr. Abey” has maintained close ties with his native country and following the devastating tsunami in December 2003, he returned home to donate his time and financial resources to help with the rebuilding efforts.

Joe Gauthier, Managing Director of the Foundation, paid tribute to the large number of artists and craftspeople who donated items that were auctioned live or as part of a silent auction. “The quality and variety of the items was excellent and we are very grateful to all those who were willing to share of their time and talent to make this event such a great success,” he commented.

The Arts Community

• Barnes, Shirley - Artist
• Cameron, Phyllis - Craftsperson
• Chilton, Joanne – Photographer www.mindfulcreations.com
• Collicott, Gil – Artist
• Corbet, Christian Cardell – Artist www.christiancorbet.com
• Crowell, Anne - Artist
• Dobson, Harvey - Artist
• Gaul, Michael – Photographer www.mfgaulphotography.ca
• Haugg, Morris - Craftsperson
• LeBlanc, Jackie - Artist
• Lyons, Wenda - Artist
• MacDonald, Brian -Craftsperson
• MacDonald, Percy - Craftsperson
• March, Dave – Emcee
• Martin, Lisa – Artist www.lisadaniellemartin.com
• Moore, Darlene – Artist
• Nicholson, Holley - Craftsperson
• Pye, Teresa - Photographer
• Scopie, James (Jim) - Musician
• Shatford, Heather - Musician
• Stevenson, Joyce - Artist
• Strong, Darlene - Artist
• van Leeuwen, Bert - Artist
• Williams, Stan - Craftsperson

Corporate & Business Supporters
LEAD SPONSOR


GOLD SPONSORS

• Crothall Services Canada – www.compass-canada.com
• GE Healthcare

SILVER SPONSORS

• Cross Roads Co-Operative Ltd.
• Hicks, Lemoine
• Medavie Blue Cross
• William Nycum & Associates Limited

Contributing Sponsors

• Amherst Lions Club
• Amherst Regional High School
• Atlantic Superstores
• BMO Nesbitt Burns
• Carters’ Sports Cresting
• Cumberland Health Authority
• Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre – Food Services & Maintenance Departments
• Fort B Flowers, Gifts ‘n Baskets
• Fundy Auctioneering
• Holly’s Jazz & Jewel
• Inside and Out (Pugwash)
• Janes, Bob – Technical Support
• Jost Vineyards
• Lakeview Inn & Suites
• Office-Xperts
• Rodd Mill River Resort
• Saltscapes Vacation Properties (Malagash) www.saltscapes.ca
• The Westin Nova Scotian

Thanks to our volunteers
Rochenda, Harry, Tom, Alberta, Rhonda, Brian, Carol, Josh, Bob, Jim, Heather, Teesha, Shirley, Ian, Rhonda, Ann, Phyllis and anyone we may have missed!

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is a registered Canadian not-for-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the provision of a high standard of health care within Cumberland County by raising funds and supporting new and improved services, programs, equipment and facilities. Its “Growing Care” campaign, which is currently underway, seeks to raise $1.6 million for a fully equipped third operating room and upgrading diagnostic equipment at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. For additional information, please visit our website at www.chcfoundation.com.

Contact: Joe Gauthier, Managing Director, CHCF, (902) 667-5400 ext. 6126