‘It means a lot’: North Bay hospital recognizes local family's contribution
A North Bay family is being recognized by the hospital for a large financial contribution made a decade ago, which helped purchase an MRI machine.
An auditorium at the North Bay Regional Health Centre is being named after the Fortier family -- Claude, Marie and Michel – after donating $500,000 in 2011.
Claude and Michel Fortier, father and son, at North Bay Regional Health Centre as the hospital dedicates auditorium to their family. Aug. 16/22 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
Claude Fortier and his son, Michel, told CTV news they feel humbled to know the hospital they love named the space after them.
"It means a lot to the family for the recognition," Claude said.
He and his wife, Maria, moved from Hearst to North Bay in 1991 and found a love for the city and community.
They began to make small donations to the hospital foundation seeing the need to expand health care in the city.
The hospital used the donated money to purchase its first MRI machine and brought four radiologists on board to diagnose patients.
"This day to celebrate philanthropy is just so inspiring and rewarding and we're just so happy to be able to recognize the Fortier family in this meaningful way," said Tammy Morison, the hospital foundation president.
Before the MRI was installed, Fortier heard from seniors who described their trials and tribulations they faced, sometimes driving hours away just to get a scan.
"It makes it easier for the locals. They don’t have to travel long distances to get the services," Claude said.
"It would be a real tragedy if we didn't have this after COVID."
The MRI machine was upgraded in the fall of 2021 to improve capability and to get an accurate and timely diagnosis, whether that's a cancer screening or for having the correct operation.
"He's really been spearheading this with Tammy and the whole foundation to encourage others to contribute," said Michel Fortier, commenting on his father’s generosity.
The upgraded MRI has an extra wide bore and table that can support patients up to 550 pounds.
It was through planning and community generosity that allowed the hospital to keep the MRI magnet during the $1.7 million upgrade.
"More than 72,000 scans have been performed by our MRI machine since its implementation," Morison said.
As for Claude, he said he hopes his story will inspire others to donate to the hospital foundation.
"I only wish I had more money, so I could give more," he chuckled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.