September 10, 2024 – Approximately 550 guests attended the President’s Breakfast fundraiser at the Shaw Centre today to hear inspiring stories of care at The Ottawa Hospital and plans to reshape the future of healthcare across the region and take research to new heights globally. It was also an opportunity to recognize the community’s generous support of the $500-million Campaign to Create Tomorrow, and the morning was capped off with the special announcement of four new co-chairs to support the region’s largest fundraising campaign.
These four community leaders embraced the opportunity to be a part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to help create a better tomorrow. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation welcomes the leadership of:
- Ginger Bertrand, Founder and President, GAB Group Inc.
- Jeff W. Clarke, CEO & Chairman, Inflector Environmental Services
- Kevin Ford, President and CEO, Calian Group Ltd.
- Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, Head of Critical Care, The Ottawa Hospital
The volunteer efforts from business and community leaders in Ottawa will continue to play a vital role in this unprecedented campaign. “We’re tremendously grateful to the leadership of our new co-chairs. They each bring unique perspectives to the campaign and together, we are creating tomorrow,” said Tim Kluke, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
Ms. Bertrand is a passionate advocate for the region’s young leaders and a strong champion for women’s health and empowerment. “I’m here to engage the next generation to get involved — it’s vitally important. Together, we will not only help our parents navigate the healthcare system as they age, but also drive advancements in women’s health and research, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all.”
This was echoed by Mr. Clarke, who’s seen firsthand the exceptional, specialized care The Ottawa Hospital provides in the region. “I watched both my parent’s experience cancer care at the hospital. I know how crucial it is to continue building for the future, so when any one of us need care, we will have access to the very best — right here at home.”
As a member of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s board of directors for the past seven years and a tech leader, Mr. Ford is encouraging Ottawa’s high-tech sector to continue their invaluable support and to rally behind this historic campaign. “Attracting and retaining top talent to Ottawa requires state-of-the-art services. Having specialized healthcare in a world-class facility when you need it is an important factor when recruiting and this campaign will play a key role to make that happen.”
As Head of Critical Care and a palliative care physician, for Dr. Kyeremanteng, it’s about the patients he sees every day and their families. “This new hospital campus will bring a state-of-the-art facility to our patients, and it will drastically improve how we care for them and their loved ones. I want to help make that happen.”
With the announcement of the four new co-chairs, also came news that after five years as Chair of the Campaign to Create Tomorrow, Roger Greenberg will take on the new role of Chair Emeritus. “We’ve seen great success to date, but we still have a long way to go to achieve our goal — a goal that will reshape healthcare for future generations, right here at home. I’m proud to continue to play a role in the largest and most important fundraising campaign in our city’s history and welcome our new co-chairs who represent all aspects of our community.”
The Ottawa Hospital Foundation also introduced the founding patrons of the campaign including: The Right Honourable David Johnston, former Ottawa mayors Jim Durrell and Jackie Holzman, the first PWHL Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner, and former President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Dr. Jack Kitts.
The new co-chairs and patrons join an esteemed roster of volunteers including the executive and cabinet — each dedicated community leader helping to build a better tomorrow. To date, the historic Campaign to Create Tomorrow has raised $336 million.
About The Ottawa Hospital:
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s top learning and research hospitals where we are guided by our vision to provide the world-class and compassionate care, we would all want for our loved ones. Our multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, is home to the Regional Trauma Centre and Cancer Centre, and to discoveries that are adopted globally.
Backed by generous support from the community, we are focused on reshaping the future of healthcare to improve the health of our diverse population of patients from eastern Ontario, western Quebec, and Nunavut. For more information about The Ottawa Hospital, visit CreatingTomorrow.ca.
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Media contact:
Shelley McLean, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation; shmclean@toh.ca; 613-324-4466
