News

Lights for Life 2021 The 27th annual Lights for Life appeal for the Prince County Hospital Foundation is now underway. During November, donations are made in honour and in memory of loved ones with dedications gathered in a keepsake book that is distributed at the hospital in December. All donations support the purchase of much needed medical equipment for patient care at PCH. Each donation has a corresponding light or display that, when combined, create the largest holiday light show on PEI. Nightly shows choreographed to music will begin on December 3rd running at 7pm and 8pm until month end. “Last year the nightly shows were added to take the place of our large community gathering,” says Heather Matheson PCH Foundation’s Managing Director. “These shows proved quite popular with our donors and the community so we decided to continue this new tradition in 2021 until such time that large gatherings are safe on hospital grounds.” When attending the shows, patrons are asked to park far back in the parking lot and tune into 98.5 FM to enjoy the shows. In 2020, to expand Lights for Life and spread cheer through the city, the PCH Foundation partnered with Downtown Summerside for “Downtown Lights for Life” … View full news story.
Lights for Life: Meet Susan and Harleigh MacKay We love seeing old friends come to PCH for a visit this time of year. We had the opportunity to visit with Susan Mackay when she came by PCH to make her annual Lights for Life dedication. Susan and husband Harleigh have been making gifts to Lights for Life since the very beginning in 1995. Some gifts have been to honour their grandchildren while other donations have been made in memory of loved ones they’d lost including Susan’s mother Bessie, sister Barbara, father George and father-in-law John. “Lights for Life is always a wonderful way to start off the Christmas season for us. It has become a tradition,” said Susan. Friends of PCH would likely know Susan from her many years as a nurse here at the hospital. But you may not know that Susan has also been a longtime Lights for Life committee member, staff choir conductor, and former honourary chairperson; helping to guide the event to what it has become. “I became involved in Lights for Life because PCH has always been a very important part of my life” Susan continued. “I was always so proud to say I was a RN at PCH and it was a … View full news story.
Caring Connections: Autumn 2021 The autumn edition of the Prince County Hospital Foundation’s newsletter. This issue features stories on Grass Roots and Cowboy Boots, the revamped X-Ray Room, and a feature story on the breast cancer journey of Nancy Key.
Meet Claudette Claudette Theriault is a planner. She likes to know exactly what she is doing and when. But, there is no way to plan for breast cancer. In the late nineties, Claudette found a lump the size of a grape; it was Stage Three Breast Cancer. She had a lumpectomy followed by radiation in New Brunswick (there was no radiation on PEI at that time) and then six months of chemotherapy at the old PCH on Beattie Avenue.Every spring since then she’s gotten a mammogram. Each time her appointment came around, she was nervous her cancer had returned but knew that it was better to know than not. “It’s always a period that I’m anxious,” Claudette told us in a recent interview at PCH. “I was always afraid that I would get it again. You just wait, wait, wait for your results.”Last year the day came. Claudette’s annual mammogram was with technologist, Amy Murphy. “Amy was thorough. I thought, ‘If I have ANYTHING, she’s going to find it.’ I left there with confidence that if there was anything at all, that she would have found it. She was so thorough, compassionate, caring, and gentle.” Amy was new in her role and … View full news story.
GRASS ROOTS AND COWBOY BOOTS 2021 2021 MEAL PICK UP INFO: Click Here GRASS ROOTS AND COWBOY BOOTS 2021: Grass Roots Drive Thru Dinner and Jeep Draw aims to help the PCH Foundation with its goal of raising $1.788 million for medical equipment in 2021.The Ellis family through Summerside Chrysler Dodge will once again be donating a Jeep Wrangler Sport! In 2021 your ticket purchase will not only give you the chance to win this beautiful Jeep, but it also entitles you to a take-out meal to be picked up at the Credit Union Place in Summerside on September 4th. None of this would be possible without the continued support of the Ellis family – Warren, Marlene and their sons Josh and Brody, as well as their many friends and business associates. Without their organization and financial support –including new vehicles to give away – the event would not be possible. JEEP DRAW to take place September 4th live on the PCH Foundation’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PCHFoundation/ TAKE OUT MEALSPick up for take out meals will take place in the parking lot at the Credit Union Place on September 4, between 2-4 pm. Please remember to bring your tickets to pick up your meals.
Vital Signs 2021 The Prince County Hospital Foundation is launching their annual Vital Signs appeal this week and Digital Mammography is front and centre of the $1,788,900 campaign.
Meet Andrea Andrea Wile is a PCH Registered Nurse, the Nurse Manager in the Maternal Child Care Unit, a small business owner in Summerside with her husband Kevin, and a member of the PCH Foundation Board of Directors. When Andrea was a teenager she lost her mother to breast cancer. Though her mother’s cancer was thought to be found early, advancements in mammography have meant that Andrea’s cancer was found even earlier…when she was 35. Andrea recounts “As scary as it is to get results and as scary as it is to get diagnosed, I’d rather know than not know. The options in front of me were positive because of early detection.”Andrea’s mother did everything that was recommended to her in the early 90s, but died from cancer seven years later. “I was blessed,” said Andrea, “because although I couldn’t ask her, my mom was a nurse and kept diaries of her health. I was lucky to be able to read it.” The path her mother walked in those diaries helped to colour Andrea’s own decisions when she was met with her diagnosis. After the mother of two found a lump in February 2018, she consulted, Dr. Heather Austin, her family physician. … View full news story.
A Community Partnership for PCH FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE“Community Partnership for PCH” April 8, 2021 SUMMERSIDE,PE The City of Summerside and the Prince County Hospital Foundation are pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Prince County Hospital on a pilot project at PCH. This community partnership is aimed at filling ongoing vacant Intensive Care nursing roles at the hospital with experienced ICU nurses and retaining permanent staff in the Emergency Department and ICU.. The venture is meant to complement existing efforts and to bring experienced staff to this critical unit. Paul Young, Acting Administrator for Prince County Hospital, “We are overwhelmed and so inspired to bear witness to the PCH Foundation and the City of Summerside so graciously and generously answering our call for help to support the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals in our facility. We are so encouraged at the potential of this partnership to explore opportunities to complement the excellent work of the Recruitment and Retention Secretariat.” As the City sees PCH as a cornerstone of the community, they have come forward with facility packages at the CUP and a variety of draws for new and existing permanent hospital staff including enhanced packages for new recruits in ICU and Emergency Department. … View full news story.
2020 Vital Signs Results The Prince County Hospital Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the successful completion of the 2020 Vital Signs Appeal. The charity is responsible for the provision of new and replacement medical equipment for the benefit of patients and staff at PCH. The 2020 appeal boasted a $1,485,280 goal and featured priority medical equipment from nearly every department at the hospital. “This was an exceptional year in so many ways—both positive and negative,” said Past-President Liz Maynard whose presidential term ended with the calendar year. “In early March we were prepared to launch our annual public campaign to raise funds for medical equipment. Before the month’s end those plans were placed on hold due to the onset of COVID-19 and the specific needs that it presented at PCH. As the hospital shifted focus, we followed suit; producing a short-term online campaign to fulfill needs like a glidescope and much more.” Maynard continued, “By June, things were settled enough on PEI that we could resume our appeal to raise $1,485,280 needed to keep PCH up-to-date in 2020. Adaptation became the only way to move forward… a sentiment shared by so many in the business community. With each turn we needed … View full news story.
Lights for Life 2020 Results Thanks to more than 1800 donors, Lights for Life has raised an astounding $275,935! That is the largest total since the fundraiser began in 1995. “In a year of uncertainty, the one thing we could all depend on was each other,” says Heather Matheson, Managing Director of the Prince County Hospital Foundation. “People from across PEI make so much possible, especially here at the Prince County Hospital. The incredible number of gifts made to Lights for Life this year will make a huge impact in healthcare at PCH.” Throughout the month of November, supporters dedicated lights and displays by donation in memory and in honour of their loved ones through the PCH Foundation. All of those light dedications are gathered in a keepsake book that is available in a kiosk outside the front door of PCH. All donations support the purchase of medical equipment through the Foundation’s $1.5 million 2020 Vital Signs Appeal for the hospital’s greatest needs. These gifts bring the entire front of the hospital to life with a multitude of holiday lights and displays synchronized to music. This celebratory lighting at the PCH in Summerside is normally an event that hosts hundreds of people and officially brings … View full news story.
Downtown Lights for Life The Prince County Hospital Foundation is expanding Lights for Life to downtown Summerside! In partnership with Downtown Summerside Inc. and the City of Summerside, we will be adding a number of new displays to the western end of boardwalk along Water Street in the coming weeks. The displays will include pieces in keeping with the style and quality currently at PCH as part of Lights for Life. As with the pieces at PCH, donors will have the opportunity to dedicate these new downtown displays in memory or in honour of loved ones. With hopes of expansion in the coming years, “Downtown Lights for Life” will begin with 30 displays featuring snowflakes, trees, snowmen, candy canes and more. “We are simply delighted for this partnership and the opportunity for Lights for Life to grow in such a beautiful setting on the downtown boardwalk,” says PCH Foundation Managing Director Heather Matheson. “This is a good news story for all. The new addition not only adds a peaceful display of lights on the waterfront, but it helps raise funds for medical equipment at PCH.” “The addition of the lighted soldier at Memorial Park was a great beginning,” says Angie Arsenault, left, Managing Director of Downtown Summerside Inc. “So, it seemed only natural to … View full news story.
Grass Roots Special Edition MEAL PICK UP INFORMATION: CLICK HERE Because we cannot gather together in large numbers to celebrate this year, Warren Ellis is introducing a Special Edition of Grass Roots to help the PCH Foundation with its goal of raising $1.5 million for medical equipment in 2020. The Ellis family through Summerside Chrysler Dodge will once again be donating a Jeep Wrangler Sport! In 2020 your ticket purchase will not only give you the chance to win this beautiful Jeep, but it also entitles you to a take-out meal to be picked up at the Credit Union Place in Summerside on October 3rd. None of this would be possible without the continued support of the Ellis family – Warren, Marlene and their sons Josh and Brody, as well as their many friends and business associates. Without their organization and financial support –including new vehicles to give away – the event would not be possible. Tickets for Grass Roots Special Edition are on sale now for $100 each at Summerside Chrysler Dodge or by calling (902) 853-7160. Limited tickets are also available at the PCH Foundation office in the hospital lobby. Mr. Ellis, right, is joined in the photo by his son Brody … View full news story.
Caring Connections Newsletter and 2019 Annual Report Please enjoy Caring Connections Issue 1 for 2020. this newsletter also includes our 2019 Annual Report to the Community.
Friendship 100KM Team Challenge The Friendship 100KM Team Challenge is a new virtual event that can be held with social distancing in mind. We will see much of the team camaraderie and healthy competition from the cancelled Friendship Run and the Bedpan Relay without the crowded start/finish lines or the handing off of a baton. Teams of 10-20 people will divide the 100km goal into increments of 5 or 10km, using the well-known run routes of the Friendship Run. Runners must complete their solo 5 or 10 km continuously (in one run) between September 4th and 12th along the Friendship Run courses on the map provided and submit their time and race data (see link below). The team that completes the 100KM with the lowest recorded group time is declared the winner! (PCH and Community Catergories)Have your captain contact Bevan Woodacre in the PCH Foundation office or Sheila MacMurdo in PCH Rehabilitative Services. Deadline for entry is August 21st.Bevan Woodacre bdwoodacre@ihis.org 902.432.2858Sheila MacMurdo smmacmurdo@ihis.org 902.438.4480 Full Details here
Meet Melissa and Adrien “He has a bit of a cough,” the daycare workers said to Melissa Bagnall when she picked up her 18 month old son, Adrien. After a restless night, the cough appeared worse and Adrien did not seem like himself. Melissa called the office of her family physician, Dr. Sharpe, for an appointment; they fit them in that afternoon. After seeing how hard Adrien was working to breathe, they were sent to the Maternal Child Care Unit (MCCU) at Prince County Hospital for a consult with Dr. David Wong. When they arrived at the hospital, they were met by Adrien’s father, Glenn. When patients arrive at the hospital unit to see the doctor, pediatric nurses must demonstrate a calm skill-set as they assess, prioritize and manage patients until a doctor arrives. Jaime Richard and Erica Waite were the RNs on duty in MCCU that day. They quickly realized how sick Adrien was and contacted Dr. Wong. A portable chest x-ray revealed that his upper airways were very swollen and becoming so tight that he was using all of the muscles in his chest and belly to suck in each breath. Bloodwork showed that his little lungs were beginning to shut down … View full news story.
COVID-19 Project Update – April 23 We are thrilled to say that we are approximately half way to our $50,000 goal for the COVID-19 Project. The Glidescope for the ICU, like the one displayed by Dr. Irvine and Dr. Drost, is the largest ticket item in “phase one” of this short-term urgent needs project. The list also includes (4) Feeding Pumps at $4,000 per unit, and a number of other important pieces such as a BiPap, AirVo units and thermometers. There have been over 90 generous donations received so far on this project including a couple of significant gifts. A leadership gift of $10,000 was received recently from Judy K. Profitt in memory of her great-uncle, Richard S. Hinton (a life-long supporter of PCH, Board Member & Benefactor) and her grandparents, Dr. Harry & Kathleen Allen. Her grandmother Kathleen (Hinton) Allen was Richard’s sister. There are several other large donations we will highlight in the coming days. We are so appreciative of every gift received and we want to say “thank you” to every donor who has taken the time to make a donation on our secure website or by calling our office at (902) 432-2547. We want our caring communities to know that every … View full news story.
COVID 19 Project As part of the $50,000 short term COVID 19 project, the Internal Medicine Physicians have requested the emergency purchase of a glidescope system for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a cost of $31,000. This device is essential for PCH during this pandemic to obtain an emergency airway for COVID-19 patients during intubation. This device assists in seeing the vocal cords to ensure a secure airway is attained by allowing the user to actually see and verify tube placement. Currently the ICU does not have a glidescope device system and is required to borrow from the Emergency Department which is not always possible. Photo: Staff have been doing simulations in ICU almost daily the last two weeks using the unit from ER in preparation for possible ventilation of COVID patients. If you want to help support this emergency purchase for PCH, please visit /pch-covid-19-project/ Or call us at (902) 432-2547 to make your gift today. StayHomePEI #PCHFCOVIDCare #PEI
Office closed to public It’s times like this that our caring communities lean on PCH, the nurses, physicians and staff the most. Now more than even we appreciate the support you have given to the patients of your hospital. After all, it is your generous gifts have put life saving tools in the hands of our healthcare team. To all of the heroes here within our walls… THANK YOU. Whether you are a part of the incredible cleaning staff, a nurse on pediatrics, or an Emergency physician, you all play a vital role here at our hospital. In support of our dedicated healthcare team at PCH and their ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, PCH Foundation office will be closed to the public until further notice. For the time being our staff will be working from home and can be reached for by the following means: BY PHONE: (902) 432-2547 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EMAIL: hematheson@ihis.org WEBSITE: www.pchcare.com Donations can be made securely online, or by phone Please be sure to monitor local media and follow directions as laid out by Health PEI. We can all do our part to flatten the curve.
Foundation Surpasses 2019 Goal The volunteer board of directors and staff at the Prince County Hospital Foundation are thrilled to announce that due to tremendous public support, the Foundation will be able to purchase every item listed in the 2019 $2.2 million Vital Signs appeal. Through a generous mix of fundraising activities the non-profit organization credits its “caring communities” as the key to success. Signature events like Grass Roots & Cowboy Boots and Lights for Life, which raised $872,388 and $267,535 respectively, are joined by smaller scale events, annual mailings, memorial gifts and gifts of stock, among other sources to ensure the hospital remains well equipped. “The support of our donors never ceases to amaze us,” says board president Liz Maynard. “As the hospital continues to grow in terms of services, the support of donors keeps pace.” The Foundation relies on public support to raise the funds necessary to keep the hospital outfitted with the medical equipment and technology needed to maintain patient care. “We have some of the best staff, nurses and physicians in Atlantic Canada and it is imperative that we keep them well equipped to care for our friends and families here on PEI,” continued Maynard. “The greatest needs of PCH … View full news story.
25th Lights for Life (2019) Beginning at 6:15PM on Wednesday, December 4th, you can join the PCH Foundation for the annual Lights for Life Celebration – the largest lighting ceremony of its kind on PEI. The PCH Staff choir will entertain the crowd with live carolling and the Lights for Life dedication books will be distributed. Attendees can enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, cider and cookies before the official agenda begins at 6:30PM. Following a short ceremony to acknowledge sponsors and announce the grand total raised, the lighting will begin. This wonderful display will illuminate the sky as the lights and displays move to the music that has been thoughtfully choreographed. 5:45 – 6:15 – Shuttle courtesy of Summerside Chrysler Dodge from Superstore Parking Lot 6:00 pm – onsite parking opens for elderly and people with disabilities 6:15 live caroling from staff choir, cookies, cider hot chocolate, Lights for Life books released 6:30 show begins with introductions followed by lighting Donations can still be made until Dec 31st at pchcare.com ———OFFICIAL RELEASEOn Wednesday evening December 4th at 6:30PM, all are invited to attend the 25th annual Lights for Life at Prince County Hospital. During the month of November, the PCH Foundation gathers donations in memory and … View full news story.