Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District held a dinner meeting on May 17. From the left: Cholly Boland and Canadian Club president Steven Caza. Thompson Goddard Photo

MORRISBURG – The final dinner meeting of The Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District for 2022-23 was held on Wed., May 17 in Royal Canadian Legion Branch 48 in Morrisburg. Cholly Boland, chief executive and president of both Dundas Manor and Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) was the guest speaker, with the organization’s annual general meeting held after his address.

The head table for the dinner was piped in by Piper Hugh Metcalfe and a delicious turkey dinner enjoyed and was followed by Dr. Gerry Rosenquist introducing Boland who spoke on the history of Dundas Manor, and then on aspects of healthcare at WDMH.

Boland explained the commitment statement of Dundas Manor speaks of inspiring happiness and joy, while enriching the lives of residents by nourishing their mind, body, heart, and soul, stressing the importance of health care and quality of life. A Residents’ Council is designed to speak on behalf of residents and assist in scheduling activities.

Dundas Manor opened 45 years ago with 60 beds, with an additional 38 beds added later.  Bolan noted the infrastructure is still designed for 60 people, and that the building is old and crowded. Just prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the announcement of the provincial funding for the new Dundas Manor was made, with the pandemic delaying the beginning of construction and resulting in a cost increase of the build.

Recently there was an announcement from the Ontario government that more funding would be made available for projects that had already received pre-approval. Boland explained the construction cost will be 60 million dollars plus, with two-thirds of that coming from the government and the local share being 20 million dollars. He noted that already 11 million dollars has been raised locally and the plan is for construction to begin in the late summer of 2023, with completion expected in 2026.

Boland then provided some information on the Winchester District Memorial Hospital, noting “the hospital is your hospital.” Since the hospital opened 75 years ago, people have been able to receive medical services close to home, with Boland noting these services continue to increase in number. They now include respiratory therapy, a cardiac rehab program, sleep lab and dialysis to name a few.

Our hospital has a robust teaching program, a research program and conducts clinical trials, and recently introduced MyChart which provides access to an individual’s medical history dating back to 20 years ago.  There are currently 900 plus people working at WDMH which includes staff, physicians, volunteers, and students, [that] all have a commitment to “compassionate excellence.”

The new executive for the 2023-2024 season was announced as the meeting ended. Steven Casa will served as past president, with Anne Caza serving as president, Muriel Carruthers as secretary, Doug Grenkie as treasurer and Clara Edwardson in communications. Jim Alguire, Colleen Brock, Ron Beaupre and George Edwardson will serve as directors, with Dr. Gerry Rosenquist retiring from his position as a director after several years in the position.