‘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
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.