Monday, April 28, 2003

Stu, Cathy Pipe Honoured At Foundation Dinner:
Opening Of New Cumb. Hospital 'Giant Leap Forward' - Quingley
by Ryan Foster

VOLUNTEERS HONOURED - Cathy and Stu Pipe were honoured with the Cumberland Health Care Foundation's Distinguished Service Award during the fifth annual foundation dinner this past weekend at the Wandlyn Inn. Pictured from left are: Morris Haugg, Cathy Pipe, Stu Pipe and foundation chair Phyllis Cameron. The dinner was once again sold out and all proceeds go to the purchase of new equipment at the newly opened Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Upper Nappan. (Foster)

AMHERST - Health care in Cumberland County has made great strides in recent months culminating with the opening of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

The Opening of the facility was a 'giant leap forward' said Cumberland Health Authority chief executive officer Bruce Quigley during the fifth annual Cumberland Health Care Foundation dinner this past weekend.

Quigley noted that the tremendous support from the foundation helped bring the new facility to fruition. "As each and everyone in this room understands, the dream of constructing that new health care facility would not have been realized if it had not been for this foundation and the dedicated efforts of countless individuals who embraced the challenge of doing what some said could not be done."

Quigley went on to tell the sold-out crowd that, while many said raising $7 million couldn't be done, he wanted to thank tem for the job they did. "I, again want to thank you for taking on that challenge and allowing this community to be home to a hospital that is the envy of many."

The new facility not only offers top notch health care, but allows the rebuilding of specialty health care services in the area. "With the support of the Department of Health, through initiatives like income guarantees and equitable contracts for specialist services across the province, we no longer end up as the poor cousin when competing with other districts for specialists," Quigley said.

Bruce Quigley

"Now we can attract candidates based on the merits of living in Cumberland County and working out of a $50 million state-of-the-art facility." Quigley told the crowd that good news is expected soon on the recruitment front.

The foundation dinner is looking to establish the position of volunteer services coordinator. "The CHA had clearly identified the need to have someone on staff to coordinate all the offers of assistance from volunteers at all our five health care sites."

While the funding has never been available, the foundation has stepped forward to fill the gap. "We look forward to a long standing partnership with the foundation to enhance services across the district."

"And as always, the foundation provides invaluable assistance to our health authority through the purchase of needed medical equipment and for that and all the work you do, the board, our staff and ultimately the patients who benefit from improved health care services say thank you."