New Operating Room Celebrated Thanks To Community Donors
By Concordia Connection Staff Writer
On a beautiful summer day the Concordia Hospital community was thrilled to cut the ribbon for the new Operating Room that was literally in operation that morning. On June 19, 2023 a gathering of supporters, staff and donors celebrated the opening of this long- awaited project.
Concordia Foundation board chair, Roger Gripp, opened the celebration with remarks and greetings.
“This is a privilege it is for me to share a few words on behalf of the Concordia Foundation, and in particular, to express our sincere gratitude to the donors who have shared in this project, “said Roger Gripp, Chair of the Foundation Board.
“Our campaign goal was to raise $350,000, being one half of the infrastructure costs of the OR 5 project, and when the Foundation put out the call to our donors in March of 2022, people stepped up. “
A Challenge went out from our Foundation Board Member and Treasurer, Anupam Kothari. The Kothari Family Foundation announced their donation of $150,000 to kick off this campaign as well as put the word out to friends, family members and business associates with a challenge to match their gift.
When the Kothari family visited Concordia last October to tour the site and to visit with the Foundation, their commitment to the well-being of others was evident as a family who shares so willingly and generously.
An anonymous community supporter soon followed with a pledge of $125,000 and our Concordia Classic Golf Tournament committee met not long after that and decided to dedicate the proceeds from our sold-out golf tournament to this campaign, which brought in another $30,000.
Over the course of the campaign 257 more people stepped up with online gifts, phone-in donations and in person presentations totaling over $73,000.
“I think it is important to highlight that 257 people made donations between $15 and $1000, representing tremendous grass roots support for Concordia Hospital and the services we provide in our local and broader communities. “he pointed out.
“All of these people gave from their hearts and have continued to be wonderful supporters of our Concordia Campus, which is comprised of Concordia Hospital, Concordia Place Personal Care Home, Concordia Villages one through four, including integrated affordable housing in partnership with Eden Health Care, and the world class research being conducted at the Concordia Hip & Knee Institute.”
There is a tremendous legacy of giving in support of the Concordia Campus, and as we approach the 100-year anniversary of Concordia Hospital in 2028, we cannot help but reflect on the countless stories behind each of the gifts.
The people who contributed to this current campaign shared their Concordia stories which were humbling to hear as we renewed or built first time relationships with them. Stories of a new lease on life for themselves or a family member were related to us demonstrating just how much of a difference we are making.
“Our executive director, Sue Barkman, had a particularly moving visit from a retired Concordia OR nurse from the 1960’s, who at 92 years of age, walked to the hospital with her walker through inclement weather to personally drop off her donation which was from her tax refund and to express gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this OR expansion project. “
Our Foundation Board and donor base, along with the Concordia orthopedic surgical team, consistently has risen to the occasion when called upon, and this is particularly the case when there is such an immediate and tangible improvement to the lives of so many who are waiting for surgical relief from what is often debilitating pain.
Of course, it cannot be understated that the commitment by the Province to fund the operationalization of this new surgical space is exponentially greater than the one-time capital costs to create this new OR, and the Foundation is honoured to have partnered with the Province on this urgently needed increase to joint replacement surgery capacity at Concordia Hospital.
We consider this a long-term legacy project and investment in our community and in Concordia Hospital for many years to come.
