The Paterson Grain Terminal in Binscarth has once again came forward with a generous donation to benefit the patients and clients that access the Russell Health Centre. The $10,000 donation is from the Paterson Family Foundation and this year’s contribution will be used to purchase furniture for the Russell Health Centre spiritual care room. The room provides families with a private and comfortable gathering place.
Amazingly, the Paterson Family Foundation has donated $10,000 annually for six consecutive years. Pictured making the donation are co-General Managers of the Paterson Grain Terminal Darryl Fuz and Dave Maglahus, with Russell Health Centre Charge RN Stacy Falkevitch accepting.
Dauphin organizations recognize Men’s Health Awareness
Dauphin organizations recognize Men’s Health Awareness
Pictured from left to right are Darian Bercier, Business/Consumers Operations Manager of the Dauphin Co-Op, Greg Thompson, Chairperson, Dauphin Hospital Foundation, Jordan Steiner, Deputy Chief of the Dauphin Fire Department and Co-op Grocery Department representative Matt Pugh.
Dauphin organizations and a local business combined efforts to raise funds and awareness for Men’s Health as part of Men’s Health Awareness Month in November 2025.
The Dauphin Fire Department and Dauphin Co-op Food Store partnered to raise funds to establish a Men’s Health Fund within the Dauphin Hospital Foundation. Thanks to some matching employee funding from the Co-op, the total presented to the Dauphin Hospital Foundation was $1,115.
The fundraising initiative was spearheaded by Co-op Grocery Manager Mark Gorchynski, who recognized that men sometimes do not seek medical attention as promptly as they should.
Brandon Regional Health Centre Auxiliary contributes over last year
Brandon Regional Health Centre Auxiliary contributes over last year
The Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) Auxiliary capped the last year by generously contributing to new equipment purchases for the Brandon Regional Health Centre and Western Manitoba Cancer Centre (WMCC). The contributions for 30 capital equipment pieces totaled close to $304 thousand. Equipment purchases included:
Two Bladder Scanners totaling just over $34,000.
These are portable ultrasound devices used to quickly and non-invasively measure urine volume in the bladder, helping assess for urinary retention or incomplete emptying. These units help to prevent unnecessary catheterizations. One unit was purchased for BRHC and one for WMCC.
Ultrasound for PICC placement – for Outpatient Care Unit totaling just over $35,000.
An ultrasound used to place a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), which helps to avoid repeated needle sticks for treatments lasting weeks or months.
Eight Maternity Unit Beds totaling $69,588.
Replacing current beds which are end of life.
Nineteen new Beds for the A3 Unit at a cost of $165,272.
Replacing current beds which are end of life.
Prairie Mountain Health and Brandon Regional Health Centre sincerely thank the BRHC Auxiliary for their continued support to the benefit of patients across Western Manitoba.
Members of the Russell Hospital Auxiliary (l-r) Virginia Beelaert, Anne Petz, Alice Coulter, RN Anna Chipelski, Ethel Lungal, Annette Ramsden, Judy Preston, Abbey Vorlicek – Care Team Manager for Russell Health Centre, Mina Laycock and Louise Lungal gathered at the Russell Health Centre on Nov. 14, 2025. They presented a Pediatric Crib valued at $13,345 to the staff.
The generous gift was provided with the donations from surrounding Lions Clubs and the ladies from Cancer Care and Palliative Care units as well as from 50/50 ticket sales.
The local hospital is always in need of equipment and supplies that the Manitoba Health Care doesn’t provide.
The Spirit of Giving: Peters Donate $1 Million to New Critical Care Centre
The Spirit of Giving: Peters Donate $1 Million to New Critical Care Centre
In the true spirit of giving this holiday season, the Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) Foundation is honored to announce a transformational $1 million donation from longtime Westman residents and community champions, Gord and Diane Peters.
Gord and Diane Peters
Their generous gift supports the Foundation’s capital campaign, A Foundation for Care, which is raising funds for the build and equipment needs of the BRHC’s new Critical Care Centre, currently under construction. This state-of-the-art facility will significantly enhance critical care services for patients and families across the Westman region.
Gord and Diane Peters, who have been steadfast supporters of community initiatives throughout Westman, shared their motivation for this remarkable gift:
“We are pleased to support the BRHC Foundation in their ongoing work with the BRHC. The new Critical Care Center is a much-needed addition to our hospital’s ongoing development. Our medical facility in Brandon is critical in servicing the needs of our Westman community, keeping it strong and vibrant.”
The BRHC Foundation expressed deep gratitude for this extraordinary contribution.
“This incredibly generous donation from Gord and Diane feels like an early Christmas gift for our entire community,” said Stacy Senkbeil, BRHC Foundation Board Chair. “Their kindness embodies the spirit of the holiday season and will have a lasting impact on patient care across Westman. We are truly grateful for their continued support and belief in the importance of this new Critical Care Centre.”
The new Critical Care Centre will expand capacity and improve the environment for patients requiring intensive, complex care, while also providing efficient, state-of-the-art equipment for healthcare teams.
Those wishing to learn more about the A Foundation for Care capital campaign, or who wish to contribute during this season of giving, can visit www.brhcfoundation.ca or contact the Foundation office directly.
Thank you to the Minnedosa Health Foundation committee for donating a big wheel power stretcher and bladder scanner with printer, totaling $30,000.
Lana Hogg, Health Services Manager-Acute is pictured with committee members.
Lana Hogg, Health Services Manager-Acute is pictured with committee members.
Gilbert Plains Community Fund Donates to Health Care
Pictured with equipment is Shauna Watt Dorscheid, Nurse Practitioner
Thank you to the Gilbert Plains Community Fund for their donation of $2500 to purchase Cryogun Equipment. The cryogun equipment allows providers at Gilbert Plains Clinic to use cryotherapy – a precise, controlled spray of liquid nitrogen – to remove benign skin lesions like warts and skin tags right in the Clinic.
Virden Health Care Auxiliary contributes funds to enhance local healthcare
Pictured is Dr. Hammell (at left) with members of the Virden Health Auxiliary. The Auxiliary and Prairie Mountain Health thank everyone for their contributions to both of the recent fundraising projects. -Picture and files courtesy of Virden Empire-Advance
For nearly 120 years, the Virden and District Health Auxiliary’s mission has been to enrich the comfort of those in care at the Virden Health Centre, Sherwood Home and West-Man Personal Care Home. With overwhelming support of service groups and the people of Virden and surrounding areas, the Health Auxiliary was proudly able to raise, in record time, funds needed to purchase an ultrasound machine for the hospital. The Health Auxiliary also acknowledged that the long-awaited LUCAS chest compression system is also now in use at the hospital. These two pieces of equipment further enhance the care provided at the Virden Health Centre.
Dauphin Hospital Foundation supports DRHC staff to enhance their skills
Dauphin Hospital Foundation supports DRHC staff to enhance their skills
With an added focus on recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals across the Province, the Dauphin Hospital Foundation has worked hard over the past few years to enhance a staff education fund that can be accessed by Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC) employees. The Delha Cort Educational Trust is an endowment fund that is administered by the Board of Directors of the Dauphin Hospital Foundation. The fund remains invested, with the interest gained available to be distributed to successful applicants for the advancement of their education and skills.
Erin Forsyth, DRHC Respiratory Educator
The fund was established for the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC) in the 1990s. The bequest was left by a lifetime resident of Dauphin, Irene Delha Cort, who passed away in 1990 but wished to leave a gift primarily to benefit hospital staff education and skills development in the future. The fund’s interest, which accumulates annually, is used to support education requests that meet established and defined criteria.
Some recent successful program applicants include Erin Forsyth, Janelle McIvor and Paige Pogany.
“Thanks to the Delha Cort educational fund, I was able to complete online courses specializing in Asthma and COPD,” Forsyth stated. “These courses were essential for the type of respiratory testing and education we provide to our community clients in the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region. I am now a Certified Respiratory Educator and feel better equipped to provide quality care and up-to-date education to the people in our community and surrounding area.”
After working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Dauphin Hospital for the past 15 years, McIvor decided to return to nursing school to further her education and take the next step in her career path.
Janelle McIvor, DRHC Licensed Practical Nurse
“While my years of experience provided me with a strong foundation, I knew that expanding my skill set and deepening my knowledge would allow me to deliver even better patient care and open new doors of opportunity. Returning to school after so many years was both exciting and challenging, but it is a choice I made with purpose and determination,” she said.
McIvor says her dream has always been to earn her Bachelor of Nursing degree and specialize in pediatric and trauma nursing. “I want to feel fully confident in caring for the younger population, especially in high-stress, emergency situations where skilled and compassionate care can make all the difference.”
McIvor says one of the biggest hurdles in pursuing this dream was the financial strain of relocating and returning to school full-time.
“Thanks to a generous monetary grant from the Dauphin Hospital Foundation, I was able to ease that burden and make the move to attend Brandon University to complete my two years of bridging education,” she stated. “Not only has the support helped cover essential expenses, but it’s also provided peace of mind, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies and clinical training.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the community behind it, and I am committed to using this education to give back, especially to my patients in the Emergency Department during their critical moments,” McIvor stated.
Pogany’s health care journey started in 2021 when she graduated with her Health Care Aide certification from ACC Parkland campus in Dauphin. Since then, she has advanced her education as she works towards future goals.
Paige Pogany, DRHC Health Care Aide/ Operating Room Assistant
“I’ve recently started my LPN nursing journey at Parkland Campus. The LPN program is approximately two years long and is a full-time course. In 2023, while working at the DRHC, I took additional courses through Prairie Mountain Health to become an Operating Room (OR) assistant. Working in this position allowed me more time to perform hands-on tasks, learn about the surgical equipment used on a daily basis, and provided me with more opportunities to understand how the OR functions and flows. Upon completion of my course, I hope to return to the OR where my interest and passion have grown,” Pogany stated.
Pogany adds that having the financial support through the Delha Cort initiative and the Dauphin Hospital Foundation has made the transition from working life to student life much more manageable.
“Being back in the classroom comes with a lot of new expenses, so this assistance was greatly appreciated,” she said.
More information on the Delha Cort Education Fund, including the application form, eligibility requirements, and reference requirements, can be found on the Foundation website at dghf.ca under the “About Us” section. DRHC staff should contact their supervisor to see how the fund may fit with their future professional development or career plans.
Dauphin Regional Health Centre Cancer Care Unit receives new screens
The Dauphin Hospital Foundation continues to put generous contributions towards needs at Dauphin Regional Health Centre. Recently, the Foundation assisted with the purchase of privacy screens for patients receiving treatment within the Dauphin Cancer Care Unit. The total contribution was just over $10,000.
Pictured with one of the colourful screens are unit staff Kali Ewanyshyn, Toni Schwarz and Terri Strong. At back, is Dauphin Hospital Foundation Chairperson Greg Thompson.
The Foundation has assisted the relatively new unit over the last 18 months with the purchase of treatment chairs as well as iPads for patients to use during treatment.
Neepawa & District Health Centre receives ERBE electro surgical unit
Dr. Rob Poettcker, Kristy McInnes, Erin Almey, Dr. Nichelle Desilets, Larisa Koshel, Jeniffer Sorongon, (in front) Ashley product rep.
The Beautiful Plains Community Foundation offers funding to the Neepawa & District Health Centre to purchase items that the facility needs. The Foundation has multiple different funds to help with the growing needs of the community and the facility.
This piece of equipment was purchased for $61,498 through generous community donations flowed through the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation. This advanced piece of endoscopy equipment is being utilized in the current Neepawa hospital and will move with us to the new Neepawa Hospital.
Curling for a Cure
Riley Abel, Emma Yanchycki, Cheryl Yanchycki, Darren Yanchycki, Case Yanchycki, Westin Abel, Cazmer Yanchycki, Kinley Yanchycki, Jenna Yanchycki, Chad Yanchycki, Kristi Friesen (oncology nurse Neepawa CCP) Christina Woodcock (manager of Health Services Neepawa Health Centre)
Curling for a Cure is an annual fundraising bonspiel event held in Minnedosa. This event is organized in honor of the late Nicholas Melnyk by his family and the group has committed to support the Neepawa Community Cancer Program (CCP) for the next 10 years. This generous donation of $20,030 will be put towards the purchase of new treatment chairs which will enhance the comfort of patients receiving treatment in Neepawa CCP.
We need your support to make this vision a reality
Elkwood Manor Personal Care Home in Elkhorn is planning to create a new peaceful, accessible courtyard for residents. A place where they can enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature, and spend quality time with loved ones.
Every donation helps bring comfort, beauty, and togetherness to our residents and their families.
Our Plans
Estimated cost of project: $200,000 plus taxes.
Replace the paving stones
Add a walking path
Install a fence
Improve lighting in the space
Beautify with flowers & shrubs
Add a bench, gazebo & outdoor furnishings
How to Donate
Donations can be made out to Prairie Mountain Health – indicate “Elkhorn Courtyard Project.”
Drop off: Elkwood Manor at 12 Antrim Street, Elkhorn
