Ontario Government Invests $8.1 Million to Support Peterborough Hospital Operations

The Ontario Government has invested $8,193,000 to improve operations and reduce wait times at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), announced on Friday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding is part of a $1.1 billion investment in Ontario's hospital sector in Budget 2026, A Plan to Protect Ontario, representing a four per cent increase in annual support for the fourth consecutive year according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment is a major win for families in Peterborough—Kawartha,” he said. “By strengthening core clinical services at PRHC, we are ensuring our local hospital has the reliable funding needed to shorten wait times, expand diagnostic imaging, and deliver high-quality care closer to home.”

Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO, said that this investment will support the operations of PRHC’s core clinical services to better meet growing patient needs. She added that the funding will help maintain 24/7 emergency department operations, cushion inflationary and wage pressures and shorten wait times for surgical and diagnostic procedures—including MRI, CT, cardiac, stroke, neuroservices, orthopedics and cataract surgeries.

“Over the last several years, Peterborough Regional Health Centre has been strategically investing into the care we provide and how we provide it,” she said. “Provincial investments like this one are critical to furthering ongoing work in priority areas at PRHC, including the continued growth and expansion of our leading-edge data and analytics program and establishing a command centre to support real-time decision-making and improve access to care across the hospital.”

Over the next 10 years, the provincial government plans to invest approximately $64 billion in major health infrastructure as part of its plan to build more than 50 major hospital projects across the province, adding approximately 3,000 new hospital beds.

“We remain deeply committed to achieving the ambitious goals we have set out for ourselves, and to ensuring we continue to provide the best possible care and service to the 600,000 people we serve across this region,” said Mikula.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Expands Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Program With More Nurses

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has expanded its Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (SA/DV) team from two to five specially trained forensic nurses, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The expanded SA/DV team now provides on-site coverage at PRHC seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on-call coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Emergency Department. It gives access to confidential, trauma- and violence-informed care for survivors of all ages and genders who have experienced recent or historical sexual assault or intimate partner violence.

According to the PRHC, the SA/DV team offers immediate medical care, crisis support, safety planning, and forensic evidence collection, all guided by patient consent and choice. In addition to urgent care, PRHC offers follow‑up treatment and counselling through the Women’s Health Care Centre for individuals who have experienced violence in the past. Services include testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy; assessment of injuries, including those that may not be visible; and connections to community, legal and social supports. 

Working in partnership with local agencies, PRHC’s multidisciplinary team provides ongoing support, including access to social workers and a dedicated domestic violence follow‑up nurse, to help individuals make informed decisions and navigate their recovery at their own pace, said Bobbi Martin-Haw, Manager of PRHC’s Women’s and Children’s Program.

“Our hope, both as an SA/DV team and as members of the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, is that anyone who experiences this kind of trauma and violence knows there is a safe and compassionate place to go for care,” she said. “That should be true no matter where they live, what resources they have or what they have experienced.”

“Regional partnerships and community outreach are essential to making sure survivors know support is available and can access care as close to home as possible,” said Candace Rosenberg, Director, Women’s and Children’s Program. “By working closely with partner hospitals and community agencies, we are strengthening awareness, coordination and access to trauma-informed care across the region. Together, these efforts help to ensure that people who experience sexual assault or domestic violence can access the compassionate, high-quality care they need, when and where they need it.”

Survivors and care providers across the province can access the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres 24/7 Navigation Line for information about healthcare options, forensic evidence collection and the nearest treatment centre.

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Lightbody Donation Continues Legacy With Lifesaving Care At PRHC

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation recognized the extraordinary legacy of the late Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody with the dedication of the expanded preparation and recovery suite in PRHC’s recently upgraded interventional radiology (IR) department on Friday.

(From left to right) Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, Interventional Radiologist at PRHC; Adam Keay; Rick Murdock; Ellie Murdock; Dr. Tamara Lightbody; Deb (Deborah) Keay; Tom Keay; Lucas Murdock; Sandy Keay; Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of PRHC Foundation and Meghan Darwin, Director of Corporate Services, Diagnostic Imaging & Emergency Preparedness at PRHC.The Lightbody family celebrates the generosity of PRHC Foundation supporters Margie (Margaret) and Bob (Robert) Lightbody with the dedication of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s interventional radiology preparation and recovery space in their memory. Photo courtesy of the PRHC Foundation.

According to the PRHC Foundation, naming the IR preparation and recovery area in memory of Margie and Bob recognizes two lifelong champions of healthcare whose generosity and leadership have helped transform care for patients across our region. This includes a gift Margie made on behalf of her and Bob just before her passing in 2022, fulfilling their wish to make one final, significant investment in the future of patient care in their community. The donation supported the state-of-the-art advancement of the IR facilities, where PRHC’s interventional radiology teams perform minimally invasive procedures to treat patients with conditions including stroke, cancer, organ failure, bleeding, and trauma, among others.

Bob passed away following a stroke in 2017, while Margie was a cancer survivor whose experience reinforced her commitment to ensuring patients could receive leading-edge care close to home, surrounded by the support of family and friends, said the PRHC.

Margie spent nine years on the PRHC Foundation Board of Directors and served as Chair of the Foundation's 2011 Closer to Care campaign, bringing cancer radiation therapy to PRHC for the first time. She was named a PRHC Foundation Governor Emeritus in 2020 for her leadership.

Margie spent years as a teacher at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute. She was a member of Survivors Abreast, the host team of Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival.

“Throughout our lives, our parents modelled the importance of giving back to our community," said the couple’s daughters, Deborah (Deb) Keay and Dr. Tamara Lightbody. "Over the years, they generously gave their time, energy and resources to causes they believed would make a meaningful difference. They valued healthcare that could be provided close to home, so patients could be surrounded and supported by their families. We know they would be so honoured to have their names associated with a part of the hospital that can touch and improve many lives. The IR preparation and recovery area represents their own values of welcoming, comforting and caring, as well as gaining insight and sharing knowledge.”

The dedication was attended by the Lightbody family, including Deb and Tamara and their spouses and children, who joined hospital and PRHC Foundation representatives to celebrate Margie and Bob’s enduring legacy of philanthropy, compassion and leadership.

“We’re especially pleased that all of their grandchildren could be here today to witness and appreciate the lasting impact of their grandparents’ example,” said Deb and Tamara. “Their legacy is reflected not only in what they gave to this community, but also in the values they instilled in our family. We couldn't be prouder.”

“Margie and Bob believed deeply in giving back to the community they loved. Their generosity has made a lasting difference for thousands of patients and families," said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “Margie and Bob’s philanthropy is a powerful reflection of lives dedicated to helping others. It will ensure future generations will benefit from leading-edge healthcare closer to home. We’re so grateful for the extraordinary legacy they have left our region.”

The Margaret and Robert Lightbody interventional radiology preparation and recovery space is part of a $6 million investment in IR at PRHC, made possible entirely through donor support. The expansion included new cutting-edge imaging technology, the addition of a third IR suite, and the increased preparation and recovery area that now accommodates 14 patients instead of 10. The new, larger facilities and advanced equipment mean more patients can receive faster, more accurate, lifesaving care and recover more quickly, with less pain and better outcomes. The suites are also paving the way for the future introduction of dramatic advances in patient care.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $116,000 For Local Senior Support

Six local organizations in the Peterborough-Kawartha area have received a combined total of $116,196 to help local seniors stay active, safe and socially connected within their communities.

The Ontario government is investing up to $7 million for more than 320 Seniors Community Grants across the province this year, helping seniors stay fit, active, healthy, and socially connected close to home. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is through the Ontario government’s Seniors Community Grants program.

The funding recipients in Peterborough-Kawartha are:

The City of Peterborough: $24,998

• Project: Be Prepared (Third Revision)

• Overview: Updates materials for the Be Prepared program to equip seniors with clear, practical guidance to recognize and respond to frauds, scams, severe weather events, and intimate partner or family violence, while strengthening emergency preparedness

Alzheimer Society of Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton: $24,251

• Project: The Social and Night Out Program

• Overview: Provides an inclusive environment where individuals living with dementia, caregivers, and families can socialize, share meals, dance, and build lasting connections in a safe, welcoming atmosphere

Mapleridge Recreation Centre (Senior Citizens Association of Peterborough): $24,541

• Project: Connected Communities: Seniors' Digital Literacy Program

• Overview: Offers hands-on workshops using computers, tablets, and smart boards to build seniors' confidence in using technology safely, covering scam prevention, safe use of AI tools, and accessing online services

Community Care Peterborough: $24,500

• Project: Senior Connectors – Phase 2: Peer Navigation & Follow-Up

• Overview: Supports trained senior volunteers hosting community kiosks to help older adults across the City and County of Peterborough access vital local services, reducing isolation and promoting independence

Douro-Dummer Township Public Library Board: $17,906

• Project: The Douro-Dummer Public Library Learning Commons Phase II

• Overview: Enhances the community hub's programming, user experience, and partnership opportunities, providing a gathering space for rural seniors and community members of all ages

St. Joseph's at Fleming: $2,100

• Project: Community Connections for Seniors

• Overview: Provides monthly, supervised community outings with accessible transportation for long-term care residents to enjoy cultural and recreational experiences, helping them remain engaged in the broader community

“Seniors have built the vibrant, close-knit communities we enjoy today, and ensuring they have access to programs that keep them active, safe, and connected is a top priority,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “Whether it's preventing online scams, supporting those living with dementia, or helping long-term care residents get out into the community, these six local projects will make a real, tangible difference in the everyday lives of older adults right across our region.”

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PRHC In Partnership With PTBO Fam Docs Brings 'Return & Learn' Program

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) partnered with PTBO Fam Docs to bring the ‘Return & Learn’ program to the community for the first time.

Photo courtesy of PRHC.

It has hospital and family physicians collaborating to host 11 medical learners with roots in the Peterborough community for a three-day learning experience in July.

Participants are individuals who have grown up in the Peterborough area and are now studying at medical schools abroad. The goal of the program is to support these learners early in their medical school journey, enhancing their opportunities to match for residency spots closer to home, easing their transition back into the Canadian healthcare system, and supporting them in achieving their goal of returning to practice in our community.

Learners were offered a variety of opportunities during this year’s three-day event, including:

• Shadowing 22 physician preceptors at the hospital and in the community

• Learning clinical skills in PRHC’s dedicated Learning Centre and in areas around the hospital, including IV starts, injections, and mock emergency codes

• Opportunities to engage with other community organizations, including Paramedics, Public Health, Hospice, Peterborough Family Health Team, the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic, and Hiawatha First Nation, to gain exposure to healthcare environments outside the hospital setting

“The amount of coordination that went into the itinerary, the preceptor placements, and all the logistics made for a genuinely valuable few days,” said Max Moloney, a medical student who participated in the event. “I know that sentiment is shared amongst my peers as well. The shadow shifts and clinical skills training were a great experience, and everything ran smoothly thanks to the team behind the scenes.

 This unique initiative was co-designed and developed as part of a partnership between PRHC and the PTBO Fam Docs collective, led by Dr. Madura Sundareswaran.

“The Return & Learn program aims to highlight the breadth of opportunities for prospective physicians in Peterborough. By partnering with Peterborough Regional Health Centre, we are able to showcase everything our amazing community has to offer – including a glimpse into the unique and innovative community-based practices of our local family physicians,” said Sundareswaran. “PTBO Fam Docs is excited to continue to work with our community partners towards a long-term, sustainable strategy for physician recruitment and retention, for which mentorship, medical education and sense of community are essential.”

“More than anything, the Medical Affairs team has a way of making PRHC feel like home, where medical students are genuinely valued. It means a great deal to all of us, and to my understanding, it is a truly unique experience in Canada. Most importantly, it only reinforces how much I hope to build my career here at PRHC down the road,” said Maloney.

“By all accounts, this event was an incredible and rewarding experience for everyone involved,” said Dr. Janet Hurst, PRHC. VP & Chief Medical Executive. “To see the participation and enthusiasm from every organization and every learner for this initiative has been inspiring. Return & Learn has been a success in large part due to the collaboration, commitment and involvement of so many people and partners, and we can’t wait to work with them to make this innovative program even better in future years.”

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PRHC Expands Teaching and Learning Opportunities In Partnership With Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has a new medical learning partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine starting this summer.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

PRHC and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine signed an affiliation agreement, making TMU its newest academic partner at PRHC.

This new partnership expands medical teaching experience and capacity for PRHC physicians, and offers additional clinical placement, education and training opportunities for TMU medical learners, according to Dr. Janet Hurst, PRHC Vice President and Chief Medical Executive.

“Peterborough Regional Health Centre has a long history of fostering strong learning relationships that support both current and future medical staff at PRHC and enhance our ongoing efforts to recruit new physicians to the Peterborough region,” she said. “This new partnership with the School of Medicine at Toronto Metropolitan University marks an exciting and significant milestone as we work to advance medical education and training, and to foster innovative research, collaboration and community engagement.

“At the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine, we believe that exceptional medical education happens in the communities where people live, work and receive care. We are excited to partner with Peterborough Regional Health Centre, an organization with a strong commitment to teaching, innovation and patient-centred care,” said Dr. Teresa Chan, Dean of the TMU School of Medicine. “This affiliation will create meaningful learning opportunities for our learners while strengthening the connections between academic medicine and the communities we serve. Together, we are helping prepare the next generation of physicians to provide high-quality, compassionate care where it is needed most.”

“As a regional referral centre serving 600,000 patients across a broad urban and rural geography, this collaboration will only serve to strengthen PRHC’s existing learning programs at a time when building our teaching and research focus is a strategic priority for this hospital,” said Hurst.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Announce New Interim President and CEO

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has appointed Noel Bennett as the next Interim President & CEO, effective on Sept. 25.

Photo courtesy of the PRHC.

He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at PRHC. He joined the hospital as a Registered Nurse in 2008 and over nearly two decades with the hospital, has taken on progressively senior roles – including manager and then director of Emergency and Critical Care – before joining the hospital’s senior leadership team in 2021.

PRHC launched one of the first Nursing Strategies in Canada in 2025 and hosted its inaugural Nursing Symposium and Nursing Innovation Awards in the same year under Bennett’s leadership according to a press release.

“The Board of Directors has every confidence in Noel’s leadership, and we look forward to seeing him make this move into PRHC’s top role,” said Scott Milligan, Chair of PRHC’s Board of Directors. “This hospital has made great strides on its strategic goals over the last two years, and we anticipate a smooth transition in the fall between two leaders who share a bold and ambitious vision for the future of this hospital. Noel’s many years of experience, and his deep connection and commitment to PRHC’s continued success, are key factors that will serve this hospital well as progress on these goals continues.”

“It’s an honour and a privilege to take on leadership of PRHC at such an important time, and I want to thank the Board of Directors for this incredible opportunity,” said Bennett. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our dedicated leadership team to maintain the momentum we’ve been building, to achieve the ambitious goals we’ve set out for ourselves, and to support the people of this organization as we fulfill our shared purpose as one team, here when you need us most.”

He assumes the role after Dr. Lynn Mikula announced her departure from the hospital on June 18. She takes on the same role at Sinai Health in Toronto.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Ranked Among Top 10 Hospitals For Workplace Culture In Canada

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has been named one of the top 10 hospital employers in Canada for Best Company Culture by Forbes, as announced on Wednesday.

PRHC employs over 3,100 staff and 250 volunteers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be part of an organization that fully commits itself to providing a workplace where people can thrive the way PRHC has done,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC President & CEO. “Our people are vital to the work we do every day, and every day we strive to provide meaningful opportunities, care and support for this amazing team so they can be there for you when you need them most.

PRHC ranks eighth among hospital employers nationwide and 63rd overall among 200 Canadian employers across all sectors.

“It is a great honour to have PRHC recognized once again among the top hospital employers in the country and I have every confidence that this organization will only continue to get better in the years to come,'“ said Mikula.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Expands Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is expanding the eligibility criteria for its successful Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway (STEP) in the Emergency Department.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Starting Wednesday, STEP will see patients for common summer ailments like bug bites and rashes, as well as other minor illnesses and injuries.

Since the program launched in January 2026, more than 1,300 community members have been cared for through STEP, which pre-screens patients via an online survey for minor illnesses and injuries before they arrive at the Emergency Department (ED). Once they arrive at the hospital, STEP-eligible patients are seen by a dedicated physician.

Before coming to the hospital, patients must complete the survey and receive an email confirming their eligibility for STEP: https://redcap.link/PRHC_STEP.

The expanded list of conditions that will be accepted through STEP as of July 1 includes:

• Respiratory symptoms (cough, nasal or sinus congestion, sore throat, or ear pain)

• Minor limb injuries

• Urinary tract infections

• Return – Stich and staple removal *NEW*

• Return – Next-day limb ultrasound *NEW*

• Return – IV antibiotics *NEW*

• Dental pain assessment (if unable to see a dentist) *NEW*

• Tetanus booster *NEW*

• Rabies follow-up booster *NEW*

• Rash or skin irritation (such as poison ivy or bug bites) *NEW*

• Sexually transmitted infection assessment and treatment *NEW*

• Wound assessment and dressing/packing change *NEW*

• Acute back pain (non-chronic and not from recent trauma) *NEW*

“With the summer months upon us, the ED expects to see an increase in minor illnesses and ailments, so this is the ideal time to expand STEP criteria to include additional patient conditions,” says Jessica Jackson, Director, Emergency, Critical Care, Respiratory Services and Trauma at PRHC. “Patient feedback about STEP has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re so proud of the incredible work being done by this team to improve the ways our patients access care through the ED, which supports us in continuing to provide the best possible care and experience for everyone.”

A dedicated STEP physician is available to see patients with minor illnesses and injuries from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on eligibility as determined by the survey and triage.

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PRHC Emergency Department Installing Weapons Detection System After Three-Week Trial Last Year

After a three-week trial last year, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is installing the Xtract One weapons detection system at the Emergency Department (ED) entrance on a permanent basis, announced on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The new system will be installed and activated on July 7. Following installation, everyone who enters or re-enters the hospital through the ED will be required to pass through the sensors.

The permanent installation of this system comes after a successful three-week trial in the summer of 2025, during which 113 items were removed from individuals entering the hospital according to PRHC.

The Xtract One system offers an advanced, non-intrusive screening process, allowing individuals to walk through without stopping or removing personal items. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sensor technology, the system detects potential weapons and distinguishes them from everyday items.

PRHC assures patients and visitors can expect quick, seamless screening, with no need to remove phones, keys, water bottles or other personal items. The system is mobility- and accessibility-friendly and supports wheelchairs, walkers, and assistive devices. To protect patient privacy, the system does not use facial recognition technology.

Alternative screening will be available for individuals with medical devices, mobility needs or other considerations. Spiritual and cultural practices will continue to be respected throughout the weapons screening process.

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