DBIA Featured Post: Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF)

If you live in or around Peterborough and have a pulse, then surely you have dealt with some part of our cities great healthcare team at some time or another. Behind every great team is a great coach and management, which is exactly what the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) can be considered. Located at 150 King St, the foundation formerly known as the St. Joseph’s Care Foundation has been an integral part of our community for almost 30 years now.

In a nutshell, the foundation is a major fundraiser for healthcare equipment, education, research and innovative programs that help the community’s health care team give its patients the best treatment possible.

The foundation consists of a team of tireless workers, including Executive director Hannah Routly, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator Carol Lawless, Board Chair Laura Boden, and physician lead ambassador Dr. Don Harterre to name just a few. On top of these positions are a long list of tremendous volunteers who aid in improving the community based health care system that the GPHSF aims to put forth.

Along with its fundraising efforts, the GPHSF also works behind the scenes in our community in creating and fostering a team like atmosphere with every branch of healthcare. From nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and mental health clinicians, to medical secretaries, dieticians, and family physicians, they help combine the expertise of a team working together to provide you with the right care, when you need it, same day or at a time convenient to you.

This overall team effort has been helping to make things better in our community for years now and the GPHSF is actually the first foundation in Canada to support such a family health care team.

One of the GPHSF's major events held yearly is the Peterborough Speaker Series. This year's event, titled Fire Starters, is taking place on April 16th at Market Hall. Previously the GPHSF has also been a part of the Festival of Trees and the Freedom 55 Financial charity golf tournament.

A few of the initiatives and items that the GPHSF has been a major part in assisting with are the incredible Partners in Pregnancy clinic, which works with many women in our community going through various phases of pregnancy. They have also recently raised money to purchase ophthalmology equipment, 17 automated external defibrillators, 40 pulse oximeters, and 20 patient transport chairs that are all located across the city helping our healthcare team put forth the greatest care possible.

For more information on GPHSF, and to find out about volunteer opportunities, go to:
Website: Gphsf.ca
Twitter: @Gphsf
Facebook: Gphsf
Phone: 705.740.8074

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

'It’s A Small World' Fundraiser For Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation, the foundation that supports your local family health team, is a little “short” on funds.

You can help them raise money by joining hosts Erica Cherney and Dr. Tom Phillips at a unique event that celebrates all the good things that come in small packages — including small business, short fiction, compact cars and, yes, a darn good haiku!

"It’s a Small World" will be held at Le Petit Bar in downtown Peterborough on Sunday, September 15th.

“Tom and I decided it was time to put our height to good use and have a charity event to celebrate people who are smaller....less than 5 feet, 2 inches,” says Erica Cherney, who is co-hosting the event with Dr. Tom Phillips. “Being not so-tall needs to be celebrated. We hope people of all heights will join us, even tall people. It’s a great chance for them to see how the other half lives!”

"It’s a Small World" takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on September 15th. The first 30 ticket holders will have their choice of which sitting they wish to attend. Guests can enjoy a short stay that includes a wee bit of wine, finger foods, merry-making and other entertainment.

Proceeds from the event will help to fund hearing-amplified headphones for use by family health team doctors in long-term care homes in the City and County of Peterborough.

Tickets are available for $50 online at smallworld2013.eventbrite.ca or at Cherney Realty, 171 King St., Peterborough.

For more information on the event, call Erica Cherney at 705-876-1717, Dr. Tom Phillips at 705-748-1011 Ext 7009, or the Foundation office at 705-740-8074.

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An Inspiring List Of Individuals Speaking At 2013 Peterborough Speakers Series Event

Shannon McNevan, director of the wildly popular Boots and Hearts Festival, is just one of seven dynamic individuals who will share their stories and reveal how they beat the odds to achieve success during the annual Peterborough Speakers Series event at Market Hall, April 10, 2013.

Presented by the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation, “UNSTOPPABLE” also features Olympic Silver Medalist Ashley Brzozowicz, Peterborough Lakers president Ted Higgins, mystery writer John Moss, comedic actor of television and theater Derek McGrath, Trent University professor and expert in economics Dr. Tom Phillips, and dynamic motivational speaking duo Barbara and Bill Johnston.

"The Peterborough Speakers Series shines a spotlight on some of our community's most dynamic and innovative people," says Health Services Foundation executive director Hannah Routly. "We’re excited to present their remarkable contributions of personal and professional success."

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and speakers begin at 7:00 p.m. An intimate cocktail reception follows, offering attendees an opportunity to connect and chat with the speakers in a relaxed and casual setting.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 705-740-8074.

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Boston Pizza Hosting Special Event Tonight For Greater Peterborough Health Services

Support your Family Health Teams by visiting Boston Pizza South today (October 5th) between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., where the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation is hosting a Celebrity Server Night to raise funds and awareness for the Family Health Teams in the City and County of Peterborough.

Local personalities such as former Peterborough Petes Captain and Canada’s World Junior Team Captain Brent Tully will be among the celebrity servers for this special occasion.

Ten percent of sales from the night go to ensuring that your family health care clinics are in a place to respond effectively to our community’s health care needs.

Reservations are recommended. Call Allen at Boston Pizza at 705.740.2775.

[Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation]

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Peterborough Speakers Series "Visionaries of Change" A True Inspiration

Honourable Peter Adams

Recently, the Peterborough Speakers Series "Visionaries of Change" presented by the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation took place at The Venue. Seven speakers from the local area brought their personal stories of belief, courage, and inspiration to the stage to share with an audience of about 150 people. This event, which will now become an annual thing, raises funds for the five local Peterborough Networked Family Health Teams.

Tracey Groombridge with Laura Kennedy & Julie Brown

Katherine sharing her stories about her trek to Mt. EverestI had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Katherine Barron, who at 16 years old completed the Everest Base Camp Trek in October 2010. Katherine joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets at age 12 after hearing a presentation and immediately knew it was the right fit for her.  She discussed her challenges and triumphs that she faced as she prepared for such an experience not even knowing yet whether she'd be one of the 16 people chosen. Once chosen, anticipation and nervousness grew and even the day of departure they all had to pass one last fitness test before boarding the airplane—which unfortunately sent two people returning home. Katherine set off on this once-in-a-lifetime journey for 17 days. Throughout the trek, there was a constant rollercoaster of emotions and physical exhaustion with the long days, illness and lower oxygen levels with being at such a high altitude. Katherine hopes by sharing her story of the difference cadets has made in her life and the opportunities she has had will encourage other youth to join and discover the discipline and dedication she has experienced.

John Hastings chatting with guests from the evening.Canadian Kayak National Team member John Hastings captivated the audience with footage of his kayak journeys over the years and how driven he's been to pursue his dreams, despite the challenges that he has faced. Yet he continues to strive harder to accomplish all the goals he has set for himself.  

I was so honoured to be in the company of such wonderful people for the evening. It was definitely a reminder that we are capable of being resilient and to not let obstacles we are faced with force us to give up. Rather, those obstacles should only be a motivator to get the best out of what life has to offer us.  

Thank you to all who made this event happen and I already look forward to next year's event and the stories that will be shared to inspire us all.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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