Lookin for Forever Homes

Working behind the scenes at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) is a group of people who really makes things tick. 

Officially, they are known as administrative and health information professionals, but we call them the backbone of the hospital. Both teams are celebrating their annual recognition weeks.

Our health records team brings more than 60 years of combined experience to the job and is responsible for everything related to the patient health record. 

They are graduates of college or university-level health information programs and must maintain professional certification. A key part of their job is the statistical and clinical information analysis that is so important to ensuring the very best care.

Our administrative team of about 35 professionals includes executive assistants, business unit clerks, payroll clerk, scheduling clerk, ward clerks and finance clerks. 

They handle everything from board minutes to financial transactions to scheduling staff to care for our patients. Technology has become an integral tool for this group as their job responsibilities expand. And they are definitely up for the challenge.

“Our health records and administration teams remain the steady pulse of our organization,” noted Cholly Boland, CEO. “Their competent work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed and we want to thank them for their hard work.”

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A whole new slate of directors has South Dundas Chamber of Commerce officials excited about the prospect of bringing new blood and new ideas to the organization that was founded in 1946.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting was held April 29 at the Upper Canada Playhouse. About 40 people attended.

“This is an exciting time to be in business in South Dundas,” said Chuck Barkley, who is returning for his second year of a two year term as president of the organization.

“Not only do we have one of the fastest growing trade shows in the area, last year was the first year that the Chamber of Commerce has been over the  150 member mark in its history.”

“It benefits the entire community to have a strong chamber of commerce. It’s a good time to be in business in South Dundas and I am looking forward to a strong year,” said Barkley.

The 2013 board members include president Chuck Barkley, first vice president Carl McIntyre, secretary Tracy Jones, treasurer Lauren Harriman, and directors Sue Jarvis, Joey VanKoppen, Stewart Cook, Brenda McIntosh, Donnie Bowes, Ralph Rick and Nicole Keicks.

Part of the AGM included a vote to re-affirm the general manager’s position, which they did.

Artistic director Donnie Bowes was guest speaker at the event, where he reflected on 30 years of the playhouse.

He spoke about its humble beginnings and its present successes.

He credits the longevity and success of the playhouse with a supportive community, professional actors and strong marketing.

“This playhouse has established itself as one of the most successful companies of its size in the province,” said Bowes.

That success translates into a great economic impact on the local community. “We really treat this like a business,” said Bowes. “Show business.”

“My greatest source of pride is seeing that parking lot full every night,” he said. “When I see that parking lot full, it means that people are choosing live theatre. They are supporting culture, but most of all they come here because they want to. We have really broken down a lot of barriers.”

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For the first time ever, Winchester District Memorial Hospital will have four obstetricians, and that fourth obstetrician will be part of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic group.

“That really reflects the growth in our maternal care program,” said Cholly Boland, WDMH CEO, when he announced that Dr. Roger Perron will join the hospital full time in the new year.

Dr. Perron says he has found the best kept secret in Ontario in discovering Winchester District Memorial Hospital and the surrounding region. 

Dr. Perron is WDMH’s newest specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. 

He will deliver babies and perform general gynecological surgery with a specialty in minimally-invasive procedures. He will practice at the St. Lawrence Medical Clinics in Morrisburg, Iroquois and Ingleside.

“I came to Winchester Hospital to provide summer coverage and my wife and I fell in love with the area,” he says. “We didn’t even know it existed.” He has equal praise for the hospital. “It’s the best kept secret around. The people here are great. And the operating rooms are magnificent. Any tertiary care centre would be happy to have them.”

With 25 years of experience, Dr. Perron says he knew early on that obstetrics was his passion. “It’s one area of medicine where people actually want to see you,” he smiles. “And if I’m going to be up in the middle of the night, I might as well deliver a baby and make everyone happy.”

When not delivering babies or performing surgery, Dr. Perron says he loves to hike, canoe, fish or do anything outdoors. “We seem to never spend any time in the house,” he laughs.

Because all of WDMHs other OBGYNs are focused in the north of the hospital’s catchment area, it was natural for Dr. Perron to come to the south, to the SLMC. He will be living in Morrisburg, which he very much looks forward to. He was looking for a retirement lifestyle, although he intends to fully practise medicine for about 10 years and then to assist for about six more. He takes referrals as he does not have a primary care practice.

Dr. Perron comes here from Guelph. He is the first OBGYN to join the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic team since Dr. Gerry Rosenquist, one of the SLMC founders.

Perron grew up in northern Ontario. He did his undergraduate schooling at Lakehead, Masters and PhD at University of Guelph, and med. school and residency at McMaster. He has three children and two grandchildren.

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