Local resident Brock Napier is supporting his fellow Muskokans with a generous health care contribution to the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation’s (SMHF) Emergency Care Campaign. Napier’s commitment to the SMHF is in the form of a matching grant – where every dollar donated to the campaign in 2019 will be matched by Napier, up to a total of $300,000. When other donors participate, Napier’s initiative could leverage a potential $600,000 toward the total campaign goal of $2.1 million.
Brock Napier is a Minett resident and philanthropist. He has generously contributed almost $900,000 to various SMHF campaigns as well as to other causes near and dear to his heart, including Muskoka Hospice, the Port Carling Community Health Hub and the OSPCA, to name a few. Napier’s commitment for the Emergency Care Campaign was sparked by his interest in ensuring mental health patients and other patients at risk are provided with safe rooms during admission and diagnosis.
“We are grateful for Mr. Napier and our community’s support in this campaign,” said SMHF Executive Director Colin Miller. “The need for secure rooms, which are designed to protect patients from hurting themselves or others, have become essential in hospital Emergency Departments across Ontario, and Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is no exception.”
Mental health-related visits at MAHC’s emergency departments have increased steadily year over year. These patients are highly vulnerable and can possibly be a risk to themselves and others. Some patients exhibit violence – including physical assaults inflicted directly on hospital staff. Staff and physicians at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare have experienced these type of incidents.
With Napier and the community’s support, the Emergency Care Campaign will fund two specially-designed and equipped secure rooms at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Site.
To contribute to this year’s Emergency Care Campaign and qualify for the matching grant, please contact the Foundation office at 705-645-4404, ext. 3193.
