Pembroke – The culmination of a 12-year, $20 million project to refurbish the inpatient surgical and surgery day care units at the Pembroke Reginal Hospital (PRH) was celebrated Friday with the official opening of the new spaces.

Hospital administration and staff were joined by members of the board, the hospital foundation, special guests and the public for the ceremony that included a blessing of the new space by His Excellency, Bishop Michael Brehl, of the Pembroke Diocese, and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Beth Brownlee, vice-president of clinical and support services, and Chief Nursing Executive, and emcee for the event, said PRH officials were very excited to be hosting the opening.

Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Sabine Mersmann was delighted to have so any people attend the event, the culmination of the project that started in 2012.      

“I remember many, many discussions internally with the ministry (Health), and the project probably changed shape and size 10 times before we landed on what we needed to do,” she shared. “This is a huge investment by the Province of Ontario – this is a $20 million project with an over $2.6 million contribution form the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation and the Auxiliary.

“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts,” she added.

Ms. Mersman noted the previous major investment by the ministry involved the development of Tower B back in 2004.

She thanked various people for their involvement including Mike Jones of Hein Construction, Kanata, the project leader, the sub-contractors, the architects from Dredge Leahy (Ottawa), and the engineers.

“All these people worked so hard to make this 1951 area as functional as possible,” she continued. “I cannot believe that a 1951 building can look this good in 2024. It’s incredible.”

Ms. Mersmann acknowledged the individuals who were responsible for the vision and initiation of the project back in 2012, some of whom have retired, some of whom were present, and others who were unable to attend. They included Pierre Noel, the previous CEO; John Wren, the former            

Chief Financial Officer; Janet Kraemer, the former director of the surgical program; Mary Schmeltzer and Kearen Schreader, who managed the surgical unit and operating rooms.

“They have really done all the heavy lifting in the beginning, and we are now standing here proudly presenting what they have done,” she said.

She also acknowledged the current team of Ms. Brownlee, Scott Coombes, Chief Financial Officer; Dr. Colleen Haney, Chief of Surgery; Dr’s. Paul Lavigne and Aviva Stewart, Chief of Anesthesia; Heather MacMillan, manager of operating rooms, surgical day care and MDR; Rachel Robertson, manager of surgical inpatient program; Andy Turton, project manager; Lauren Theberge, procurement manager, and Mike Godbout, director of plant services.

“All of these people have spent so many hours planning, designing the space, choosing the equipment, assisting our contractors, reinventing new things because some things weren’t able to be done that way, and getting the space ready to move in. Today, you are seeing the results of all these efforts that is all about improving the care for our patients.”

“This unit is servicing patients and families from all across Renfrew County – Deep River, Barry’s Bay, Renfrew, Arnprior,” she continued. “We can all be proud of having a facility like this this close to home.”

An Eye Opener

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski recalled being present for the opening of Tower B in 2004, adding it was fantastic to be invited to share in the celebration Friday.

“I have to tell you how proud I am of the work you have been doing here at Pembroke Regional Hospital and this redevelopment,” he said.

He said he had the opportunity to tour the facility some months earlier while the work was ongoing.

“You have a chance to see what’s being changed, what used to be, not in its full format sense, but as it’s being transitioned into the new surgical unit.

“And it was so fascinating to see how that process takes place and the amazing work that has to be done,” he added. “It really was an eye-opener for me about what is being done here at PRH to continuously bring better service to the people of the Ottawa Valley and Pembroke and the surrounding area. And when you see all these improvements and changes, it gives us all the more reason to be feel proud about where we are and who we are in this neck of the woods, as they say.”    

Mr. Yakabuski said it’s incredibly gratifying to run into people who share with him multiple stories of successful surgeries and top-notch care at PRH, adding the new space will make everything even more efficient and effective.      

“We’re only going to see more surgeries completed,” he pointed out.

In 2003, there were 5,000 plus encounters with people in the surgical unit, he said, including 996 cataract surgeries.

“That’s almost like three a day if you were doing them seven days a week,” he pointed out. “That’s amazing stuff to have this kind of service here in the Valley.”

He thanked Ms. Mersmann and everyone involved in the project, saying they have a fantastic team, adding his kudos to anyone involved in the daily operations of the hospital.

“Whatever role you are playing at this hospital, it is a valuable role, and it all helps to deliver better healthcare to the people that depend on it so much,” he said.       

Grateful For Support

Lisa Edmonds, chair of the PRH Board of Directors, described the event as a huge milestone in the history of the facility. She noted Janet Kraemer had assisted the Foundation to tour potential donors through the area, recalling she took one person through in a wheelchair to illustrate how difficult it was to manoeuver in a wheelchair in some of the units from 1951 after surgery.    

“I have had the pleasure to have a sneak preview and it’s amazing to be part of this celebration today with you,” she remarked.

As chair of the Foundation, she thanked her colleagues and the hospital auxiliary, all the volunteers, and the donors.

“All of you have made this day possible and this beautiful facility that we are in today. The beautiful big, shiny windows, the state-of-the-art equipment, and the shiny new facility makes us proud of our local hospital.”

Ms. Edmonds said the refurbishment will make the patient experience even better for those who require care.

She acknowledged the members of the Foundation executive and its volunteers who assist in running all their activities, as well as the auxiliary and its 130 volunteers.

“They have raised $500,000 for this project,” she noted of the auxiliary’s participation.

“And lastly, I wanted to express our heartfelt thanks to all our donors who helped make this day possible,” she added. “Whether you purchased a ticket for $5 or $10, sponsored one of our events, or made a donation, each one of those dollars got us here, so thank you. Whether they’re large or small, each one makes a difference.”     

 She welcomed three members of the late Harold Smallpiece family, noting the Pembroke resident made a unique donation to the campaign that had to be recognized.

“Mr. Smallpiece, through his planned giving and his will, donated $540,000,” she said.

She explained he had directed his two children, Connie and Marvin, that they name the hospital of their choosing to reserve his gift and give back to that hospital. She acknowledged Connor O’Connor, his daughter, who was attending with her two children, Braeden and Carissa.

“Isn’t it cool to see three generations of what a smart, kind, giving-back gentleman did for our local hospital and the lesson he is teaching generations to come that you can make a difference,” Ms. Edmnnds remarked. “And we can’t thank you enough.”        

She indicated a hallway will be named in Mr. Smallpiece’s honour.

“So, to all of you, it is awe inspiring for me to be part of this today and to see what can be done when good people work together really hard and persistently towards a common goal. Look what you can get done, and congratulations!”

Dr. Colleen Haney said it was nice to see some of the leaders from the past in attendance, thanking them for their vision.

“I know today is the result of many years, as has been mentioned, of work and planning,” she said.

The last few years in healthcare has been an intense and crazy ride at times, she said, noting a career in healthcare is a calling for some of the most compassionate, tireless, funny, intelligent, ferocious advocates she knows. She said it was a privilege for her to work with her colleagues and staff.

“The care that they provide, and their drive to do their best for our patients, it humbles me,” she remarked. “The walls around them don’t change that, but I’m so pleased with these renovations that we now have a facility to match their world-class care.”

Dr. Haney said PRH does an incredible volume of surgeries annually and now to have dedicated spaces for the higher volume procedures will increase efficiency and make the patient experience better. 

“And ultimately it will decrease the risk of some head-on stretcher accidents,” she joked, adding kudos to those who navigated the narrow corridors during the construction phase.

She said the refurbishment adds a new sense of privacy for the patients that did not exist before, and was sorely missing.

“Now, we have space where we can have those conversations privately,” she said. “You can’t put a value on that.”

She said the program has seen incredible growth over the past few years with the addition of the orthopedic surgeries.

“Having this new and updated facility gives us the infrastructure for future growth and hopefully other improvements so we can continue to build on our amazing team.”

Blessed Space

Bishop Brehl delivered a prayer and blessed the new unit, saying it was a pleasure for he and Father Ryan Holly to be invited to participate in the celebration. He asked God to be present in the lives of all who work there, come there, and those who seek healing.

“Let us pray that this space be sanctified and holy, that it be the place where all of those who seek healing and offer to be part of that process, are able to do so in a spirit of grace and compassion,” he said.