MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2011

BGH Nursing School Alumnae Donates $500.00 to Local Palliative Care

Brockville and area— The Alumnae Association of the BGH School of Nursing recently donated $500 to support the Brockville and District Hospice Palliative Care Service (B&DHPCS), based at Brockville General Hospital (BGH).

“We feel it is really important to support palliative care,” explains Gail Easton (Class of ’63), President of the Association, “because we certainly believe in the wonderful work that has been done in palliative care for this area.”

The Alumnae Association does no fundraising. Donations are given over the course of the year by the members and an annual donation is made in memory of deceased alumnae and associate members.

The BGH School of Nursing opened in 1893, eight years after the incorporation of Brockville General Hospital. Nursing sister Mary Nunn (Class of 1906) went overseas in 1916 to join the Imperial Service, and ultimately was honoured with the Royal Red Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace. Many BGH Nursing graduates also served in WWII. For over 80 years, the nursing school was an integral part of the BGH community—producing 1189 graduates before nursing programs became part of community college curriculum in 1974.

The Alumnae Association of the BGH School of Nursing was formed in 1923 under the leadership of Miss Maude Arnold (Class of 1909), and continues to be active today.

“Currently, our membership has 275 members, plus associate members living in the area who graduated from other hospitals,” says Association Vice President Diane Besley (Class of ’67). “Graduates of the BGH School of Nursing live throughout the world and return frequently to celebrate their respective reunions in June of each year.”

  

Accepting the donation from (seated left and centre) Diane Besley and Gail Easton of the Alumnae Association are (seated right) Sherry Anderson, BGH Director of Complex Continuing Care, Rehab and Palliative Care; and (standing, l – r) B&DHPCS staff Joan Schwarze, Leslie Leeder, Sandra Thompson, Elaine Watters, Debbie Bennett, Patricia Howlett, and Rachel Arcand.


For more information, please contact:

Joan McLaughlin Executive Director Brockville and District Hospital Foundation 613-345-4478 mcljo@bgh-on.ca

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