St. Marys, Ontario | Canada
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St. Marys Healthcare Foundation | St Marys, Ontario, Canada

— About Us —

  • About Us

A Healthy, Active Community

We are committed to inspiring philanthropy within our community to raise funds for essential medical equipment and needs at St. Marys Memorial Hospital, the Tradition Mutual Centre for Wellness and other local wellness projects and initiatives. 

The Foundation collaborates closely with hospital leadership, healthcare staff, and volunteers to ensure that your contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients at SMMH.

Our Mission

  • To inspire our community to invest in local healthcare.

Our Vision

  • A healthier community supported through generosity and compassionate giving to our Foundation.

Our Priorities

  • Support the needs of the St. Marys Memorial Hospital
  • Enhance the initiatives of the Tradition Mutual Centre for Wellness
  • Raise community awareness regarding the opportunities and challenges in local healthcare.

Your donations continue to support a range of local projects and initiatives:

Through our 50/50 lottery, we have successfully purchased essential medical equipment, including a bariatric stretcher and an ice and water dispenser.  These acquisitions reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing patient care and ensuring that our healthcare facilities are well-equipped to meet the needs of our community.

Through the proceeds raised from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, we have successfully purchased a blanket warmer, Glideoscope, and cast saw.

The “Here For You Today, Building For Tomorrow” capital campaign is a complete renovation of both the East and West Wings of St. Marys Memorial Hospital. This transformative project will enhance the hospital’s infrastructure, ensuring it meets the evolving healthcare needs while providing state-of-the-art facilities for generations to come.

The Tradition Mutual Centre for Wellness, completed in 2003, is described as a “model of Primary Health Care.” It combines state-of-the-art medical facilities with a YMCA Fitness Centre, serving as a key attraction for recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in our town.

The expansion of the Tradition Mutual Centre for Wellness in 2018/2019 included $2.9 million in updates, a second-storey addition, a 7,433-square-foot expansion, and additional space for the Happy Valley Family Health Team, as well as a teaching area for medical residents.

— Our Board & Staff —

Brandon Boyd
DIRECTOR

Brandon, a proud St. Marys native, was born and raised in the community. As a co-owner of a local insurance brokerage, he is deeply connected to the town and its residents. Brandon's passion for the well-being of the community is evident through his role as the President of the St. Marys Lincolns and his involvement in Minor Hockey.

Not only does Brandon actively contribute to local sports organizations, but he also recognizes the importance of healthcare through his wife's profession in the healthcare industry. Together, they place high value on the role played by the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation in making the town an exceptional place to live and thrive.

  • Board & Staff
Cindy Bilyea
past Chair

In 2018, Cindy became a member of the Foundation board. Together with her husband Norm, she operates a farm business in the Granton area. They have successfully raised four sons and are proud grandparents to seven grandchildren. Throughout the years, Cindy has assumed leadership positions in various organizations such as South Perth Centennial School, St. Marys Minor Hockey Association, Kirkton Horticulture Society, and Quadro Communications.

“Whenever our large and active family required medical assistance, St. Marys Memorial Hospital provided us with exceptional care. Ensuring that our hospital remains up-to-date with cutting-edge equipment and infrastructure is crucial for maintaining its status as a strong and sustainable pillar of our community.”

Cindy’s dedication to giving back to the community will persist as she takes on her role in the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation.

Amanda McCurdy
chair

“More than two decades ago, when we were deciding where to establish our roots, one crucial factor that influenced our decision was the availability of local healthcare. The presence of St. Marys Memorial Hospital and the promising plans to expand the medical clinic, especially at a time when many communities lacked access to primary healthcare, made the choice to settle in St. Marys an effortless one.

The initiation of the “Someone I Know Campaign” and the commitment to enhance primary care services ignited a deep-seated desire within me to contribute and support healthcare in our community in any way possible. My goal is to ensure that both the hospital and the medical clinic continue to deliver exceptional care to our family and the community, not just for the present but also for the long-term future.”

Erin Reynolds
Vice chair

Erin brings a wealth of global perspective to the table, gained from her leadership role in Samsonite Canada’s Marketing department and collaboration with their international Marketing teams. With a mother who has a nursing background, Erin possesses a keen understanding of the vital significance of St. Marys Hospital and its profound impact on the community.

Raised in St. Marys and having returned to the community nearly a decade ago, Erin feels privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the local healthcare system. She recognizes the invaluable support and care that she, her family, neighbors, and friends have received from the hospital throughout the years. It is with a sense of gratitude and a desire to make a meaningful contribution that Erin actively engages in supporting the local healthcare system.

Brandon Boyd
DIRECTOR

Brandon, a proud St. Marys native, was born and raised in the community. As a co-owner of a local insurance brokerage, he is deeply connected to the town and its residents. Brandon’s passion for the well-being of the community is evident through his role as the President of the St. Marys Lincolns and his involvement in Minor Hockey.

Not only does Brandon actively contribute to local sports organizations, but he also recognizes the importance of healthcare through his wife’s profession in the healthcare industry. Together, they place high value on the role played by the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation in making the town an exceptional place to live and thrive.

Scott Graham
DIRECTOR

Scott, a lifelong resident of St. Marys, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having retired from farming and previously served as the Chairman of Egg Farmers of Ontario, Scott has a deep-rooted connection to the community and a strong understanding of its needs.

With a genuine enthusiasm for making a difference, Scott eagerly looks forward to contributing to the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation’s mission of supporting the St. Marys Memorial Hospital. His goal is to ensure that the hospital continues to deliver high-quality healthcare services to the local residents, fostering a healthier and thriving community for everyone.

Linda McFadyen
DIRECTOR

Linda, a proud St. Marys native, returned to her hometown in 1995. She raised three daughters who now reside across Canada and is a loving grandmother to five grandchildren. Linda recently retired from her career at Heartland Farm Mutual Insurance, where she worked in the claims department. Throughout her professional life, she made significant contributions as a certified Kinesiologist, working in clinical settings, health management, clinic management, and developing programs to support injured clients in their work readiness.

Now that Linda has entered retirement, she is eager to give back to her community. Supporting the local hospital holds immense importance to Linda, her family, and the community as a whole. Inspired by her mother’s volunteer work at the hospital and her grandfather’s role as Chairman, Linda believes in the value of healthcare and its integral programs. She is enthusiastic about contributing to the cause by serving on the board.

In her leisure time, she enjoys racing sailboats in Kincardine, engaging in road and mountain biking, participating in curling, and practicing yoga.

Mike Brine
DIRECTOR

In 2019, Mike joined the Foundation board. Residing on a farm west of St. Marys with his wife, Patty, they have raised two adult children together. Mike has dedicated his entire career to the agricultural industry and currently serves as the AgriBusiness Specialist at Trillium Mutual Insurance.

Having been a lifelong resident of the area, he and his family have made use of the hospital on numerous occasions, and he believes that good healthcare starts with an effective local hospital. The Foundation’s role in maintaining and updating the hospital is vital if we are to have a viable healthcare system in our community.

Brian De Groote
DIRECTOR

Brian and his family have been residence of St Marys since 1996 and he joined the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors in 2023. He recently retired in 2022 after a 35 year career in the financial services industry with RBC Royal Bank ending his career in Commercial Financial Services. His wife Vickie has worked locally at Hubbard Pharmacy for the past 28 years since moving to town and both their boys are actively involved in two local businesses.

Brian has always been supportive of giving back to the community with various roles with Children Health Foundation, United Way and St Marys Minor Hockey over the years. Now that he has retired he is committed to serving on the St Marys Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors supporting our local hospital and the wellbeing of the residence of St Marys, which is not only important to him, but his family, and the community as a whole.

In his spare time, he still enjoys hockey, skiing, and now that he is retired travelling the world.

Wendy Lamond
DIRECTOR

Wendy has lived in the St. Marys area for most of her life and attended high school here. She spent 23 years working in customer service and pricing at Shur-Gain but for the past four years has been working for the St.Marys Independent newspaper. You will see her out at many community events taking pictures and meeting new people. Having spent 24 years in the St. Marys Kinette Club, she knows the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community. Wendy is looking forward to getting involved with the foundation and understands what an important role our hospital plays for our town and surrounding area.

Wendy and her husband Paul live in town and can also be found at River Valley Golf Course quite often as they both enjoy golf in their spare time. Wendy also enjoys reading and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Pamela Zabel
DIRECTOR

Pamela Zabel is a retired Nuclear Pharmacist/Imaging Scientist who has been actively involved with charity and nonprofit groups since retiring from London Health Sciences in 2017. She and her husband, Dr. Eric Thomas, moved to St. Marys in 1994 and raised their two children there.

Pam served as Coordinator of Regional Nuclear Pharmacy for 33 years, holding executive roles in Professional Associations and Medical/Academic Committees, and was involved in research, teaching and preparation/licensing of sterile Radioactive Diagnostic and Therapeutic products for Nuclear Medicine.

Locally, she has been active on the St. Marys Grand Trunk Trail planning/fundraising Committee, the St. Marys Youth Committee, and currently serves on the Recreation and Leisure Committee. Pam is a member of the St. Marys Community Committee of United Way Perth Huron and co-chaired the St. Marys Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk for four years.

Pam looks forward to supporting the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation, aiming to raise community awareness and support for the St. Marys Memorial Hospital and extending support to Tradition Mutual Centre for Wellness, the Mobility Bus, and other local organizations and projects promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

Wayne Barber
DIRECTOR
Dr. Schiedel, Board Member | St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Ontario
Dr. Jon Schiedel
Ex-officio
Lynanne Mason
Vice President Partnerships, Transformation & Chief Nursing Executive
Andrew Williams, Board Member | St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Ontario
Andrew Williams
PRESIDENT & CEO of HPHA

Andrew is the President & CEO of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) since its establishment in 2003. With over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, he has worked with various healthcare organizations locally and across Canada. His expertise encompasses a wide range of settings, including community, teaching, and research hospitals, as well as regional systems and private clinics. Andrew is a strong advocate for patient and family centred care, emphasizing the importance of meeting individual patient needs in the safest and most appropriate manner.

Andrew holds an Honours Degree in Biology and a Masters in Health Services Administration from Dalhousie University. He is an active member of the Canadian College of Healthcare Leaders and the American College of Healthcare Executives. Additionally, Andrew serves as a Surveyor with Accreditation Canada.

Andrew and his wife and two sons reside in the Perth South area.

April Barker
FINANCE COORDINATOR

April has been an invaluable member of the Foundation since November 2020, offering her expertise on a part-time basis. Her duties encompass gift processing, bookkeeping, and database management, all of which are integral to the Foundation’s operations.

April, along with her husband Brian, operate a farm located west of St. Marys, and together they are raising three young boys.

April’s contributions to the Foundation play a crucial role in supporting the organization’s operations.

Bernice De Decker
COMMUNICATIONS & FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

Bernice joined the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation part-time in September 2021 and has since transitioned to a full-time role as our Communications and Fundraising Coordinator. She skillfully handles digital marketing, fundraising, donor engagement, events, and more.

In her free time, Bernice enjoys spending time outdoors, taking walks with her dog, and thinking of new ideas for her job.