The Rainy River Health Centre is getting a new ultrasound machine.
Riverside Foundation for Health Care is approving the $135,000 purchase.
Jack Elliott can take much of the credit for making it happen.
He is committing to match all donations received in a mini-fundraising campaign up to $10,000.
Elliott says it was an interest to help the hospital that got the ball rolling.
“The health care system always needs help. They’re always looking for something. And I had asked myself, what could we do?” says Elliott.
“There were a few questions that kind of circulated around but hadn’t been formalized. And in one of my discussions with one of the local physicians, I raised the question. I said, what can we do to make health care in the Rainy River community better for everyone, better for the facilities, better for the staff, better for keeping and maintaining our coverage, better for the patients? And that’s how it started, asking those questions,” says Elliott.
Elliott also wanted to do something to remember his wife.
Norma Elliott was an important figure in health care in the west end of the district, overseeing the transition of the former Red Cross hospitals in Rainy River and Emo to the Rainy River Valley Health Care Facilities, later renamed Riverside Health Care.
Norma retired in 2000 but joined Riverside’s board of directors soon after, later becoming its chair.
In 2005, she was asked by the Ministry of Health to assist with the ownership transfer of Rainycrest Long Term Care to Riverside by bringing the Fort Frances home into compliance.
“My wife was a very important part of the healthcare system in the district and particularly in renovating and renewing what were the Red Cross Outpost hospitals in both Emo and Rainy River, and Rainycrest as well, and integrating those into the Riverside Health Care,” says Elliott.
Riverside Foundation for Health Care will manage the campaign.
Director Allison Cox is appreciative of Elliott’s generosity.
“It shows not only to the rest of the community members that it’s got community support already, but it’s also a great way for Jack to be able to honour Norma, who was instrumental in setting up the health care center in rainy river. She also did a lot of work in emo, as well as Rainycrest,” says Cox.
Those wanting to help can drop donations at the Foundation’s office inside LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances or at Rainy River Health Center.
They can also mail checks made payable to Riverside Foundation for Healthcare.
Donations will also be accepted online through the Foundation’s website.
“Norma Elliot was a major part of the whole process over the last 20 years of the last century, getting this up and running, and she deserves to be honoured for doing it. So that’s why I’m putting my family’s resources towards supporting and maintaining and expanding (health care),” says Elliott.
