Peterborough Regional Health Centre Opens New First Nations/Indigenous Ceremonial Fire Space

Peterborough Regional Health Centre has unveiled a new First Nations/Indigenous Ceremonial Fire space at the hospital, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the PRHC.

A ceremonial fire is a sacred place that brings people together and creates a space to connect with the land, First Nations and Indigenous ancestors, and one another. The space is located in the courtyard adjacent to the hospital’s A2 inpatient unit and will be available for use by First Nations/Indigenous patients and families, staff and community members, with guidance and support from PRHC’s Indigenous Program Navigator, Courtney Taylor.

“Sacred fire holds deep significance for many First Nations and Indigenous communities. It is a place for prayer, reflection, ceremony, healing, and connection,” said Taylor. “The creation of this space has already brought many groups together. Our hope is that this space now serves as a reminder of the importance of balance, respect, and community while also offering a place at the hospital where teachings may be shared, medicines may be offered, and people can gather during times of celebration, healing, grief and transition.”

Donavan Taylor and Devon Jacobs, Sacred Fire Keepers from Curve Lake First Nation, were on hand to light, maintain, and watch over the fire and share teachings as part of the opening ceremony.

“PRHC is committed to creating an environment where First Nations/Indigenous traditions, teachings, healing practices, and cultural connections are respected, welcomed and supported,” said Noel Bennett, PRHC interim President and CEO. “At PRHC, we recognize that reconciliation is not a destination but an ongoing journey.

The Ceremonial Fire space was created through a partnership with First Nations, Urban Indigenous and other community partners.

“Meaningful action requires listening, learning, building relationships, and creating spaces where First Nations/Indigenous patients, families, staff, physicians, and community members feel seen, respected, and supported,” said Bennett. “This Ceremonial Fire space is one step on that journey, and we are grateful for everyone whose guidance, wisdom, and collaboration has made this space possible. May it serve as a source of comfort, healing, reflection, and connection for generations to come.”

“It was an honour to be amongst those gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Ceremonial Fire space at PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “The PRHC Foundation and community donors are grateful for the opportunity to fund the creation of this space. Thank you to First Nations, Indigenous Cultural Teams, other external partners and PRHC for the collaboration that made this possible.”

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Cancer Takedown's Fifth Year to Dish Out Body Slams In Support of Cancer Care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Cancer Takedown will ‘slam’ the evening with songs, stories, and solidarity for the fifth year to support cancer care at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Photo courtesy of Market Hall.

The event takes place on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at Market Hall Performance Centre.

Cancer Takedown is co-hosted by comedic powerhouses Linda Kash and Megan Murphy. Acts include musicians Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr and Kate Brioux. Special guest performers include Beau Dixon and The Weber Brothers. Appearing are Anthony Bastianon and MD supergroup Good Medicine. Local talent Kim Dafoe will put on a unique performance. Nicholas Campbell, Brandon Munroe and Ian McKeown round out the lineup as the house band.

Beyond raising funds, Cancer Takedown says it aims to raise awareness of the emotional and mental burden of cancer, uniting people through shared experience. The show features cancer stories, focused on coping with the rollercoaster of emotions that are an inevitable part of the cancer experience.

Cancer Takedown was co-founded by husband-and-wife team Rick and Amy Kemp. Rick has been diagnosed with two separate cancers and, over the past eight years, has undergone every possible form of treatment. Both continue to cope with life-changing mobility issues for Rick and the ongoing mental challenges that the aftermath of cancer brings.

“The physical battle of cancer is tough, but the mental battle is even tougher. It’s a battle you can’t really fight; you just work your way through. Cancer Takedown is an opportunity to remind people they can get through.” Rick Kemp, Cancer Takedown Co-Founder.

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Fleming College's New Healthcare Program to Advance Plans After $500,000 Anonymous Gift

Fleming College has expanded its healthcare programming with a new Medical Imaging Technology program, supported by a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor to fund the facilities, equipment and technology needed to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Fleming’s Board of Governors has endorsed a proposed Medical Imaging Technology program, marking an important milestone in the College’s healthcare expansion plans.

Medical Imaging Technology would join the College’s planned Medical Laboratory Assistant and Medical Laboratory Technologist programs, with Fleming targeting the introduction of all three programs by Fall 2028, subject to required approvals.

The programs are being developed in response to growing workforce pressures across the healthcare system and needs identified by regional healthcare partners, including Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

“Healthcare providers across our region are telling us clearly where the workforce gaps are, and Fleming has an important role to play in helping address them,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, Fleming College interim president. “Advancing Medical Imaging Technology represents another important step in our healthcare expansion. Together with our new medical laboratory programs, it will create new opportunities for students while building a stronger pipeline of skilled professionals for hospitals and healthcare organizations in our communities.”

According to Fleming, the need is particularly significant in medical laboratories. They note that Canada continues to face demand for laboratory professionals as the workforce ages and healthcare needs grow. Fleming’s healthcare expansion strategy identifies more than 31,000 projected job openings for medical laboratory technologists and assistants across Canada between 2024 and 2033, with nearly 30 per cent of the workforce already age 50 or older.  

PRHC has also identified recruiting and retaining laboratory professionals as a growing challenge in the region. In a letter supporting Fleming’s MLA and MLT programs, PRHC said staffing shortages can increase workloads, lengthen laboratory turnaround times and delay diagnosis and treatment. It also noted that training students locally increases the likelihood graduates will remain and work in the region.  

“Medical laboratories are an integral component of the healthcare system, with the vast majority of clinical decisions relying on laboratory testing,” said Dr. Katie O’Reilly, PRHC Medical Director, Laboratory Services. “Ensuring an adequate workforce of well-trained MLAs and MLTs is essential to maintaining high-quality, timely diagnostic services for our patients.”  

Medical imaging is another area of growing regional need. PRHC has identified increased demand for diagnostic imaging services and a need for additional professionals in ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI.

“Demand for diagnostic imaging has grown dramatically across our region, with the volume of tests at PRHC nearly doubling over the past decade,” said Noel Bennett, Interim President and CEO, Peterborough Regional Health Centre. “Having enough skilled professionals to meet that demand is critical to ensuring physicians have timely access to the diagnostic information they need to make clinical decisions and supporting the high-quality care our patients deserve.”

The expansion builds on Fleming’s long history of healthcare education. Over the past decade, more than 12,000 healthcare professionals have graduated from Fleming, and healthcare programs currently account for more than one-quarter of the College’s full-time student population.  

“A Medical Imaging Technology program at Fleming College would help build that workforce here at home, creating opportunities for students while strengthening healthcare capacity for the future,” said Bennett. “We’re pleased to expand our collaboration with Fleming, and see it as essential to addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages in our region.”

The need for additional healthcare professionals is expected to grow further as the region’s population ages. Fleming’s planning projects significant growth among older age groups in its catchment area over the next decade, including a 28 per cent increase in the population aged 75 to 79 and a 51.8 per cent increase among those aged 80 to 84.  

Supporting the expansion will require significant investment in specialized facilities, equipment and technology. An anonymous donor has committed $500,000 to help Fleming move that work forward, including investments in a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory, simulation facilities and technology, and HyFlex learning environments designed to expand access for mature and remote learners.

“It is very gratifying to support Fleming’s healthcare expansion efforts,” said the anonymous donor. “The addition of new programs and improved access for learners will help more young people pursue meaningful and critically needed careers in healthcare. There are few opportunities where you can invest in the lives of young people while also helping to strengthen our healthcare system and, ultimately, the health and well-being of our entire community. I would encourage other donors who care about the future of our community to consider supporting Fleming College.”

Fleming’s broader healthcare expansion includes planned investments in new laboratory infrastructure, simulation and diagnostic equipment, flexible learning technology and financial support for students. These investments are intended to support the programs now in development while creating additional capacity to respond to future healthcare workforce needs.  

“This extraordinary gift gives Fleming important momentum as we work to expand healthcare education in areas where the need is clear and growing,” said Katie Pezoulas, Executive Director, Advancement and External Relations. “Meeting that need will require continued partnership among Fleming, government, healthcare organizations and donors, and this generous support is an important step forward.”

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PHOTOS: AON Inc.'s Long-Term Care Home Station Place's Celebrates One Year In Havelock

AON Inc.’s Station Place long-term care has hit its first milestone, celebrating its one-year anniversary in Havelock on Tuesday morning.

AON Inc. staff and dignitaries were on hand to help celebrate and commemorate Station Place's first anniversary. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

AON Inc. staff and Jim Martin, Havelock Mayor, spoke at the event to commemorate the home’s anniversary.

“This (Station Place) is a result of when government and community come together,” said Ray Barlow, AON Inc. vice president.

@ptbo_canada AON Inc.’s Station Place long-term care has hit its first milestone, celebrating its one-year anniversary in Havelock on Sept, 15, 2026. #fyp #news #ptbocanada #journalism #aoninc ♬ suara asli - MI FISABILILLAH

Construction began on Aug. 9, 2023. The project was to be completed by September this year but it was completed within its budget and ahead of schedule in the summer.

It features dining, activity areas, lounges and access to outdoor spaces, accommodating 128 beds.

The long-term care home was part of the provincial government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 new beds by 2028, along with 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

The site is approximately 86,355 sq. ft. and is located at 628 Old Norwood Rd. in Havelock. AON won the bid to build the long-term care home on Feb. 17, 2022.

The event concluded with a barbecue for residents, staff and guests.

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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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