“I am deeply honoured to have earned the confidence of my fellow Board members in being named Chair,” said Ms. McKinnon. “This role carries a significant responsibility, and I am committed to serving the organization in line with our values of integrity, humility, and accountability, while building on the culture of teamwork and trust at the Board table.”

First elected to the Board in June 2023, and having served as 1^st Vice Chair for the past two years, Ms. McKinnon was elected to a second 3-year term at Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting which will carry through until June 2029.  She succeeds Lawrence Pietras who served as Board Chair for the past two years and will remain on the Board for one additional year.

Ms. McKinnon brings extensive experience in healthcare governance, finance, and audit. Over the course of her career, she has worked with numerous hospital clients, leading external audits and developing deep expertise in hospital funding models and the broader healthcare system.

“This is an exciting and pivotal time in the history of OSMH as we plan for a new hospital.  I look forward to working closely with the Board and hospital leadership to navigate this critically important next chapter, always guided by our Mission to provide high-quality compassionate care to the communities we serve,” said McKinnon. 

McKinnon was one of four current Board members re-elected to new terms at Tuesday’s AGM.   Ryan Spurgeon, who will fill the role of 1^st Vice-Chair, was elected to a 3-year term along with Ian Gordon, who joined the Board in 2025.  Sheila Clark was elected to a 1-year term to complete her final year of eligible service, while the Board welcomed Diane Flanagan for an initial term of two-years.

The Board also took time to acknowledge the service of Ken Brownlee who provided more than ten years of expertise and volunteerism to the Boards of the Hospital and Foundation.

Click here to view the 2025-26 OSMH Annual Report.  

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The extended schedule for up to 16 hours per day is designed to improve access to diagnostic imaging, reduce wait times, and support better patient outcomes across the Muskoka region. This expansion has been made possible in part through the Government of Ontario’s continued investment in healthcare, including $1 million in funding from the Ministry of Health for 2025/2026.

“This is an important step forward for healthcare in our communities,” said Cheryl Harrison, President & CEO of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. “By expanding MRI availability, we can serve more patients, sooner, helping accelerate diagnosis and treatment planning closer to home.”

From July 2025 through May 2026, the MRI program has already demonstrated strong impact, completing 2,890 scans. With extended hours now in place, MAHC expects to further increase capacity and better meet growing demand.

Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound–Muskoka, welcomed the expansion as a positive development for local healthcare access. “Our government has been working hard to expand access to essential healthcare services across Ontario, and I’m very pleased to see this investment supporting increased MRI capacity right here in Muskoka,” said Smith. “This is great news for patients and families in our region who will benefit from faster access to important diagnostic care closer to home.”

Patients are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about MRI referrals.

To learn more about MRI services in Muskoka, including how to access imaging and what to expect, visit: https://www.mahc.ca/areas-of-care/diagnostic-imaging/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri/

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Presented in recognition of the essential role GBGH plays in the community, the investment reflects Tay Township’s dedication to ensuring residents have access to high-quality care close to home — today and into the future.

“Tay Township is proud to support initiatives that strengthen local healthcare,” said Mayor Ted Walker, Tay Township. “This donation reflects our commitment to ensuring our residents have access to high-quality care and to supporting physician recruitment that will serve our community for years to come.”

Funding directed to the GBGH Foundation will advance priorities through the We See You campaign, helping ensure patients and families feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their care experience. Contributions to the campaign enable the hospital to invest in essential equipment and modern technology, like new operating suite lighting and an ultrasound for vascular (IV) access.

“This kind of leadership from Tay Township has a meaningful impact on our hospital and the people GBGH cares for,” said Perry Esler, Interim CEO, GBGH Foundation. “Through the We See You campaign, Tay Township is supporting patients, families, and care teams by investing in the tools and spaces that make a real difference in the experience of care.”

The $12,500 investment in physician recruitment will help attract and retain skilled physicians to the region — a key priority in meeting the healthcare needs of a growing population and ensuring timely access to care.

“Recruiting physicians is fundamental to the long-term strength of healthcare in our region,” said Dr. Jeff Golisky, chair, Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment. “Support from Tay Township helps us offer our community as a desirable place for new and experienced physicians to practice, improving health care access close to home.”

Tay Township has demonstrated ongoing support for GBGH, recognizing that strong local healthcare contributes to a vibrant and healthy community for residents, families, and visitors alike.

For more information about the We See You campaign and how donations are making an impact at GBGH, visit gbghf.ca.  To learn more about physician recruitment in North Simcoe, visit georgianbayphysicianrecruitment.com.

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with minimal renovation, the provincially funded project aligns with the Ministry of Health expectation to expand primary care attachment capacity as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Through Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan, the province is investing more than $250 million in this fiscal year to create or expand 75 primary care teams across the province. Locally, this investment will create more than 1,900 spaces for patients currently without access to a family doctor or nurse-practitioner.

The Foley Community Centre in the Township of Seguin has been selected as the shovel-ready location for the new clinic. Seguin Township has played an essential role in supporting this expansion and will continue to work with West Parry Sound Health Centre as planning progresses to prepare the space for clinical use. The new Foley clinic site will support care delivery in a welcoming, community-based environment. Community rentals and library services will continue to operate at the centre.

“Seguin Township is proud to partner with West Parry Sound Health Centre on this important initiative,” said Ann MacDiarmid, Mayor of Seguin Township. “Access to primary care is a priority for our residents and for communities across the region. Seguin Township is grateful for the opportunity to work with our health care partners towards this shared goal.”

The expansion reflects the coordinated work of the West Parry Sound Primary Care Network, a regional primary care planning table, spear-headed by the West Parry Sound Ontario Health Team. The network brings together local primary care providers, including members of Parry Sound Family Health Team, Medical Associates, Rugged Shores Family Health, the West Parry Sound Health Centre Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, and broader health partners. This announcement marks a major achievement towards their goal of ensuring every resident in West Parry Sound has access to a regular primary care
provider.

“This partnership reflects the kind of collaborative, practical, local solution that is needed to improve patient attachment and access to care locally,” said Ellen Walker, Executive Director of the WPS Ontario Health Team “Working together, we are building a stronger and more connected primary care system for the people of West Parry Sound.”

“West Parry Sound Health Centre is deeply appreciative of the many community partners whose efforts were essential in making this expansion possible,” said Donald Sanderson, Chief Executive Officer of West Parry Sound Health Centre. “When primary care is strengthened, the positive impacts are felt across the entire health system. We commend the Government of Ontario for its commitment to expanding access to primary care. We are also grateful to our municipal partners, who responded quickly to help identify a shovel-ready location that aligns with our communities’ needs. We especially want to
thank Seguin Township for its responsiveness to this time-sensitive opportunity.”

Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan is focused on connecting every person in Ontario to a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care team by 2029. The plan supports the creation and expansion of teambased primary care across the province, with a particular focus on helping patients who are currently unattached gain access to ongoing, coordinated care closer to home. For communities like West Parry Sound, this approach recognizes that strong local partnerships are essential to building a more connected, sustainable primary care system that can respond to regional needs.

“I’m proud of the work being done by our local health care partners to help ensure residents across West
Parry Sound have access to the primary care they need,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry SoundMuskoka. “Thanks to support from the Ministry of Health, this new clinic site is moving forward quickly and will help connect more people and families to care close to home when it opens later this year.”

Further details about the site opening and how unattached patients can be connected to care will be shared as implementation planning progresses.

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The Foundation also announced that the $17.5 million matching challenge, led by the Cockwell family and friends and family of Bob Hutcheson, has been fully matched by donors across the community, unlocking $35 million for local healthcare.

“This milestone belongs to our donors,” said Katherine Craine, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “It belongs to the child who donated their birthday money. It belongs to every family who made a gift, every volunteer, every business owner and every grateful patient. Together, we have created one of the most significant community fundraising moments in Muskoka’s history. To every person who contributed to this milestone, thank you.”

In just one year, hundreds of donors have made gifts and pledges, helping the campaign reach 76% of its $70 million goal. The Foundation looks forward to recognizing many of these generous donors and sharing the stories behind their support in the months ahead.

“We launched Raise Muskoka with an ambitious goal and a belief that our community would rise to meet it,” said Tom Anselmi, Campaign Co-Chair. “To raise more than $53 million and to fully complete the matching challenge in just one year is extraordinary. This achievement reflects the generosity, confidence and commitment people have for the future of local healthcare.”

The matching challenge, announced in September 2025 in honour of Bob Hutcheson, helped inspire support from across the region and accelerate momentum for the campaign.

“I have always believed in the people of Muskoka, and this campaign is proof of what can happen when a community comes together behind something that matters,” said Bob Hutcheson, Honourary Co-Chair. “I am grateful to the Cockwell family and to my family and friends who helped launch this campaign. While this milestone is worth celebrating, what excites me most is what it will mean for future generations.”

As part of today’s announcement, the Foundation also launched Our Cottage Cares, a new initiative inviting lakefront property owners to make a five-year commitment to support Raise Muskoka.

While today’s announcement marks a major milestone, Campaign Co-Chairs emphasize that the work continues.

“It has been an incredible year, and I am so thrilled to see the outpouring of love and respect for the Hutcheson family,” said Mike Harrower, Campaign Co-Chair. “Every gift is helping build the future Huntsville Hospital and we still have important work ahead. We invite you to join us and be part of this historic campaign.”

Funds raised through Raise Muskoka will help support the future Huntsville Hospital and the equipment and technology required to provide exceptional patient care.

For more information about the Raise Muskoka Campaign, Our Cottage Cares or to make a donation, please visit HuntsvilleHospitalFoundation.ca.

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“As a part of our $64 billion plan to get shovels in the ground for over 50 hospital projects across the province, our government is proud to support the development of a new, state-of-the-art Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, who was in attendance at the sign unveiling.

“Today’s announcement brings us closer to delivering enhanced patient capacity, world-class modern healthcare infrastructure, and expanded access to critical care services and inpatient beds, to meet the healthcare needs of Orillia and Simcoe County.”

The Ontario Builds sign, now installed along University Avenue, stands in front of a 25-acre parcel of land owned by Lakehead University that has been identified as the preferred location for the new hospital. The sign recognizes the Province of Ontario’s $3 million planning grant announced by Premier Doug Ford on May 23, 2025.

“The unveiling of the sign marks another exciting milestone in bringing this transformational project to life,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Simcoe North MPP.

“Following our government’s commitment to support planning for a new hospital, today’s announcement reflects the strong collaboration between OSMH, Lakehead University, and our community. This new hospital will help ensure families across Orillia and the surrounding region have access to modern, high-quality health care for generations to come. I am proud to continue working alongside our partners as we move this important project forward.”

In addition to the sign, OSMH announced it has received formal confirmation from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health that the project has successfully advanced from Stage 1.2 (Proposal Development) to Stage 1.3 (Functional Program) within the province’s capital planning process.  Advancement to Stage 1.3 represents a significant step forward and enables more detailed and advanced planning work, including the development of functional space requirements, project scope, and early design elements that will physically shape the new hospital.

“Reaching Stage 1.3 represents a major milestone in our redevelopment journey and reflects the strength of our planning work to date,” said Tom Roberts, OSMH Interim President and CEO.   “With this approval, we move decisively into planning for a greenfield, new hospital co-located at the Lakehead University Orillia campus.”

The Chair of the OSMH Board of Directors, Lawrence Pietras said, “Today’s milestones reflect not only meaningful progress, but a shared commitment to the future of health care in our region.   As a Board, we are focused on ensuring this new hospital is thoughtfully planned, financially responsible, and built to meet the needs of the communities we serve for decades to come. The support of our provincial and community partners gives us confidence that we are on the right path.”

The new hospital project remains in the planning phase, with ongoing collaboration involving the Province of Ontario, Lakehead University, healthcare partners, the City of Orillia, and the broader community.

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As an AHF, the designated beds at Granite Ridge will operate as an extension of the hospital system and will be considered a hospital site. Compliant with all legislative requirements for an AHF this designation reflects Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to enhancing patient flow and ensuring high-quality care in the most appropriate setting.

This transformation will provide Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare with five dedicated beds to support patients classified as Alternate Level of Care (ALC)—individuals who no longer require acute hospital services but are unable to return to their previous living arrangement. These patients are often awaiting placement in rehabilitation programs, long-term care, or other funded settings.

With anticipated lengths of stay of fewer than 90 days, the AHF beds at Granite Ridge will play a vital role in ensuring patients receive care in the right place, at the right time, while freeing up acute care capacity within the hospital.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare on this meaningful initiative. The transition to an Alternate Health Facility marks an important step forward in delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time. At Granite Ridge Retirement Residence, we take great pride in providing a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals during key moments in their care journey. This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to improving patient flow and enhancing care across the region. We look forward to building an innovative future together and making a lasting, positive impact in our community.”
— Kim Sander, Administrator, Granite Ridge Retirement Residence

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The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding people to take simple steps to prevent tick bites and to know what to do if they find one.

You can reduce your risk of tick bites by taking a few precautions:

• Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants and closed-toe shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks to help keep ticks off the skin and make them easier to spot.
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin and follow label directions.
• Stay on marked trails when walking or biking in natural areas whenever possible.

After spending time outdoors, it is important to check for ticks:

• Do a full-body check on yourself, your children and your pets as soon as possible and again before bedtime.
• Use a mirror or ask for help to check hard-to-see areas.
• Remove ticks within 24 hours to help prevent infection.
• Shower within two hours of coming indoors to help wash away loose ticks.
• Kill ticks that might be on clothing by putting clothes into a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes before washing.

If you find a tick, remove it promptly and check for others. Visit eTick.ca to identify the tick and get guidance. If a tick has been attached for 24 hours or more, speak with a health-care provider about whether preventive antibiotics are appropriate.

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Early symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. Some people may also develop a red rash that expands within three to 30 days after a bite. When detected early, most cases can be treated successfully. If you are experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease, seek immediate medical attention.

Avoiding bites, removing ticks quickly and recognizing symptoms early can help prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. While other illnesses including Powassan virus, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Borrelia miyamotoi disease can also spread through tick bites, the risk in Ontario remains low.

For more information, visit smdhu.org/ticks.

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Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder where people struggle to form words despite knowing what they want to say. Though CAS is specific to children, apraxia can affect people of all ages, and it’s not something that kids outgrow. People with apraxia often work with speech-language pathologists and other professionals to improve the clarity of their speech.

Bracebridge resident Jody Hamilton is not stranger to CAS. Her son Nash, now 10 years old, was diagnosed with CAS at age two. He was non-verbal until the age of four, communicating only by sounds.

“When he was 18 months, he had five sounds. He then kind of started off talking with one word, and then two word sentences, then three word sentences, and now he’s can pretty much talk fluently,” Hamilton explained. 

Hamilton said that Nash is still in speech therapy once a week, but if he becomes upset, angry, mad, or even excited, he can have trouble pronouncing words properly.

But that doesn’t stop Nash from doing what even kid loves – play sports. 

“He plays basketball, he’s played soccer, he has done rock climbing, he is doing gymnastics right now, and he’s been bowling for about four or five years,” Hamilton said. “In his sports teams I’ll kind of let the coaches know that if Nash is having any difficulty, just to give him a little extra time.”

How to help those with CAS 

Those with CAS may not feel comfortable in situations where they are speaking a lot. Hamilton said that the best way to help is to give the person some extra time.

“One of the biggest things I’m really trying to advocate for Nash, and that Nash is starting to advocate for himself, is that when he needs more time to process and thing about what he wants to say, he tells someone.” 

Hamilton said that there are still times when Nash comes to her to ask for help saying hi to other children because he’s scared they won’t understand him. While she is more than happy to help him, Hamilton also reminds him that the best thing to do if they don’t understand is to take a deep breath and try again. 

“He’ll tell them that he needs more time, and they are all really good at respecting that. Most of the kids in his school are pretty welcoming.” 

Apraxia Day Recognition

On May 14, landmarks across Ontario, such as the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, and even the Bracebridge Falls will light up blue. 

“Nash’s school will wear blue,” Hamilton said. “I’m going into Nash’s class to read a story about Apraxia and explain what it is to the children. I’ll also answer any questions they may have.”

To help support those with Apraxia, Hamilton encourages everyone to wear blue tomorrow. 

To learn more about CAS, visit the Apraxia Kids website at https://www.apraxia-kids.org/

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