Foundation spotlight series: KBRH Health Foundation

How long have you been with the Foundation?

Lisa: Nearly 13 years. I started with the KBRH Health Foundation in September 2011.

Tell us about the focus of your Foundation and why what you do is important.

Lisa: At the KBRH Health Foundation, our focus is on advancing health care in the Kootenay Boundary region. We believe every individual deserves access to quality health care, close to home.

Established in 1988, to date we've raised $24.9 million to support various aspects of health care, including priority medical equipment, patient care and comfort, staff education, major campaigns and special initiatives. The Foundation plays a key role in improving local health care by ensuring the best medical equipment is available and upgraded as needed. We understand that modern medical equipment is essential for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and ultimately, better patient outcomes for everyone in the region.

The Foundation provides funding for Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, community health care and two long-term care facilities, Poplar Ridge Pavilion and Columbia View Lodge. Our work is driven through a regional lens, and by focusing on advancing health care in our region, we are striving to ensure that individuals and families have access to the medical care they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Why did you join KBRH?

Lisa: I was born and raised in Trail and have strong ties to the communities of the Kootenay Boundary. I chose to return home to my roots after achieving a master’s in business administration and working in Vancouver in health-related fields.

My father was a general practitioner in Trail and thus working at the Foundation was a natural fit for me due to my family background, work experience and love of the Kootenay Boundary region.

Over my tenure with the Foundation, we've hit some remarkable milestones, including tripling our revenues and doubling our staff complement. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with many community members and partners, as well as an engaged board of directors, who share the same passion of improving local health care, which is truly a rewarding and inspiring aspect of my job.

Do you have any favorite fundraising campaigns?

Lisa: The KBRH Health Foundation has embarked on so many campaigns and projects that we are extremely proud of:

• Urology Campaign which supported recruitment of urologists to KBRH
• Columbia View Lodge Garden of Gratitude Project which restored the garden areas at a long-term care facility to ensure the residents have safe access to beautiful outdoor spaces
• Tier 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Project which supported a new tier of service, and enhances neonatal care at KBRH allowing more families with preemies to remain at KBRH for care

Currently, we are fundraising for the Orthopedic Enhancement Project, a $750,000 initiative, which supports recruitment of two new orthopedic surgeons and introduces a new level of service for patients including hip and knee replacements with one-day discharge and total ankle replacements.

Initiatives with both a local and regional focus, that provide broad community impact, and that assist with recruitment and retention of our health-care providers, are a priority. 

Is there a particular donation over the years that stands out?

Lisa: We have the most amazing and committed donors. Every donation they provide is a gift that is appreciated, recognized and celebrated.

Stand out donations include the visits we get from children who have taken it upon themselves to fundraise to help patients in the hospital. This holiday season, we were visited by Jimmy, Panos and their mom Heather. Jimmy set up a lemonade stand to raise funds to purchase toys for sick children. Jimmy along with his brother Panos, handpicked the toys for the pediatric patients at KBRH and came up the hospital to present them to the pediatric nurses. It's moments like these that remind us of the incredible kindness and compassion that exist in our communities

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