A trusted friend and advocate for community-based healthcare

A trusted friend and advocate for community-based healthcare

This week, just before the Board of Directors adjourned their monthly meeting, Dr. Don Harterre stood up and thanked Sister Mary Connelly for being a friend and a trusted colleague for close to 50 years.

It was Sister Mary's last board meeting as a director for the Health Services Foundation. At one time Sister Mary was the supervisor of the operating and recovery rooms at St. Joseph's Hospital.

"Sister Mary was one of the first persons I met when I came to Peterborough in 1966," explained Dr. Harterre, physician lead for Primary Healthcare Services of Peterborough. "I'm proud to say we've worked side by side at St. Joseph's Hospital and believe we share the same desire to ensure everyone in the County and City of Peterborough receive the highest quality healthcare possible."

De    Described as someone who always acts with compassionate care, Sister Mary is a long-time friend as well as board member of the Health Services Foundation, formerly the St. Joseph's General Hospital Foundation. After St. Joseph's closed in 1999, the Foundation responded to the need to support community-based healthcare services and partnered with Primary Health Care Services of Peterborough. "Our job is to support the work of the local the family health team," says Sister Mary. "And just because I'm retiring from the Board doesn't mean I won't be around," she laughed as she headed towards the elevator. "So I won't say goodbye, just see you soon."
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Sister Mary Connelly (l) and Dr. Don Harterre - good friends and supporters of
community-based healthcare.

Health Services Foundation Board of Directors Cynthia Hamu (l) Sister Mary Connelly (c)
 and Executive Director Hannah Routly 

Fifty Years on Insulin - Tino's Story: A Dedication to All Families Living with Diabetes

I read this interesting story in Family Health Team "In the Spot Light" and I wanted to share it with you all.

Feb 9, 2014 will mark 50 years that I have been using insulin. I feel very fortunate and privileged to be able to tell my story. I dedicate this piece to all the families living with Diabetes. Please feel free to send to friends, family or anybody you feel may appreciate this story or find hope and encouragement in reading it.

Ability to share and give at the heart of every great community

I love spending time with my family.
Especially when we're all at an event working together as volunteers.

For the past seven years, my father, mother and older brother Pete and his wife Joan have spent the first Monday in June at Kawartha Golf & Country Club volunteering for the Annual James Fund Golf Classic. We sell tickets, greet sponsors, join golfers with their teams and even play in the tournament.

The golf classic raises money for children and their families battling neuroblastoma - a deadly cancer that took the life of James Birrell when he was just eight years old. The annual tournament, which raises on average more than $40,000,  is pivotal in helping families deal with the costs of cancer treatment, including hotel, gas, parking fees and even medication. It also affords children an opportunity to attend a retreat at Camp Oochigeas where they can try and forget that for one weekend a year they are not suffering with this terrible disease.


Every year, when I turn on to the long road that leads up to the clubhouse, I'm overcome with a sense of nostalgia mixed with sadness, hope and yes, even pride that I get to volunteer at this annual event. There is an energy that flows throughout the day connecting sponsors, golfers, volunteers and organizers to the spirit of James Birrell and his family who have worked tirelessly to help families struggling to get through what is probably the most difficult period in their life.

I'm grateful my parents have taught me the value of giving of yourself to help others. I believe this ability to give and share is at the heart of every great community.

Introducing The Foundation to you!