Helping you give back so local health care is always moving forward.
The work of our Foundation and your charitable donations regularly support healthcare in a variety of key areas. Our regional area includes all health units in Nanton and High River, including the general hospital.
Our vision is a healthy community today and for generations to come.
About Us
Who are We
The High River District Health Care Foundation is the vital connection between community and healthcare. We provide our donors and volunteers with a means to support healthcare and wellness in our community. Hometown Healthcare Happens Here.
What We Do
We contribute to a healthy community today and for generations to come by inspiring investment in local healthcare in partnership with Alberta Health and the people who live and work here.
History
The High River District Health Care Foundation was established on March 25th, 1986 and obtained charitable registration on October 16, 1986. For the first five years hospital staff ran the Foundation in addition to their regular departmental responsibilities. The only fundraising activity was the annual Dinner and Auction, which continues to be a signature event in the community today.
The Foundation received its first bequest in 1989 which established a permanent endowment fund. Over the years the endowment fund has been added to and now stands at over $2.7 million. The intent of the endowment fund is to ensure the long-term viability of the Foundation.
In November 1991, the “Be Our Partner” campaign was launched and the beginnings of a formal Fund Development program was put in place. A Fund Development Coordinator was hired in April 1992 and the following December the Foundation’s office was re-located within the Hospital
In 2009 the Board hired a full-time Executive Director. Since that time the Foundation, thanks to the amazing donors, continues to grow and invest to enhance healthcare in our community.
Our Team
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![Wendy Kennelly, Executive Director]()
Wendy Kennelly
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wendy joined the team in 2021 and loves the community energy and passion for great healthcare in High River & Nanton.
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![Cathy Couey, Fund Development and Communications Officer]()
Cathy Couey
FUND DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
With 24 years with the Foundation, Cathy is a well respected fundraiser, communications expert and community leader.
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![Rhonda Bews, Administrative Assistant]()
Rhonda Bews
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
For 10 years, Rhonda has been the ‘glue’ to keep things together and extremely organized at the Foundation office!
Our impact in
High River & Nanton
For over three decades the donors and volunteers of the High River District Health Care Foundation have helped ensure that High River, Nanton and the surrounding rural communities have access to the very best local healthcare possible. The Foundation raises and responsibly manages community donations that allow our healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care to our diverse community, each and every day.
Through our donor’s generosity the Foundation invests in:
Purchasing new and up-to-date equipment
Providing enhanced patient care services
Enhancing community care programs and services
Investing in local staff education through scholarships
Making life more comfortable for residents of Long Term Care and Silver Willow DSL
A full-service rural facility with a focus on patient and family centred care. With over 13,000 visits to the ER, almost 15,000 diagnostic imaging exams, more than 1500 inpatients and over 3000 visits to the Community Cancer Centre. Donor dollars literally touch every aspect of care.
Home care averages 500 clients every year in the communities of High River, Nanton and the surrounding area, with the goal of caring for clients in their home. Donations allow the Foundation to provide assessment and prevention tools for individual care plans.
Financial assistance for programs and equipment to aid in the assessment, and treatments and individual care plans within public and mental health programs in High River and Nanton .
Supporting equipment, staff training and recreation therapy programs for 50 Long Term Care residents at the High River Hospital and 38 at Designated Supportive Living residents at Silver Willow Lodge.
We believe in
Community
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Transparency
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Integrity
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Innovation
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Professionalism
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Community 〰️ Transparency 〰️ Integrity 〰️ Innovation 〰️ Professionalism 〰️
Our Board of Directors
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![Aaron Mouser-Chair]()
Aaron Mouser
CHAIR
Aaron is new to the role of Foundation Board Chair but has served on the Board for five years. His proactive approach and positivity are appreciated by his peers at the Foundation and in his real estate business.
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![Tyler Arnold, Vice Chair]()
Tyler Arnold
VICE CHAIR
Tyler joined the Board in 2021 and has taken the leadership role as Vice Chair in 2023. As a lawyer and owner of Arnold & Arnold Barristers and Solicitors, he offers a keen eye for details and confident oversight of funding distributions and governance.
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![Chris Alexander - Treasurer]()
Chris Alexander
TREASURER
Chris is an accomplished CPA, CGA and serves on the Executive Committee as Treasurer. For the past four years, Chris has been instrumental in financial oversight, consistent governance and digital upgrades to the Foundation administration and finance systems.
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![Glenda Cutforth, Secretary]()
Glenda Cutforth
SECRETARY
Glenda has served on the Board since 2019 and is most proud of the capital campaigns to build and open the new maternity clinic and cancer clinic. Having two children working in health care inspired Glenda to give back in this way.
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![Eliane Domingue AHS Director]()
Eliane Domingue
AHS DIRECTOR
Eliane is the Long Term Care, Site and Cancer Clinic Manager at the High River Hospital. She is a seasoned healthcare leader with 15+ years of national and international experience. She loves her community and is very proud to work in High River.
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![Dr. Chris Warner - Medical Staff Director]()
Dr. Chris Warner
MEDICAL STAFF DIRECTOR
Dr. Warner is a light-hearted advisor and one of the hardest working doctors on the medical team. He keeps the team well informed on local healthcare and medical trends and issues in Alberta.
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![Ruthella Graham - High River Hospital Auxiliary]()
Ruthella Graham
HIGH RIVER HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
As a retired RN, Ruthella has a lifelong passion for healthcare and is inspired to give back to the community and the expert staff who take care of our community.
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![Roxy Wideman, Nanton Director]()
Roxy Wideman
NANTON DIRECTOR
As a Director representing the Nanton area, Roxy is continually advocating for rural healthcare. One of her most rewarding experiences on the Board was recruiting and selecting a new Executive Director during a world pandemic!
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![Jesse Hari - Rural Director]()
Jesse Hari
RURAL DIRECTOR
Jesse was just recently nominated and elected in 2022. Jesse represents the rural constituents and has already been a positive supporter of the work the Foundation team is currently taking on.
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![Angela Caldwell, Director]()
Angela Caldwell
DIRECTOR
Angela is a CPA in High River and as a longstanding resident, is committed to volunteering and serving her community the best ways she can. As a new Director in 2023, Angela brings years of Board leadership experience and looks forward to representing the community here, for years to come.
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![Janice Dallyn, Director]()
Janice Dallyn
DIRECTOR
As one of our newest additions to the Board of Directors in 2023, Janice is honoured to play a role in healthcare philanthropy here in the Foothills. As an Agriculture Business Relationship Manager for ATB and an active, rural mother and wife she knows how important our Hospital and health units mean to everyone in the Foothills area.
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Bev and Blair Gordon, owners of Century 21 Foothills Real Estate have been generously supporting the Foundation for many, many years. Their whole team of realtors are true community philanthropists and support so many important agencies and causes in the area. Most recently, they co-sponsored our inaugural, Home Town Healthcare Poker Night in March. This first-time event raised over $12,000 and we couldn’t have done it without Century 21 Foothills.
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Hospital Auxiliary is a group of amazing volunteers who have been fundraising for the hospital for fifty years. We are grateful for their partnership to enhance healthcare through the purchase of new equipment and supporting programs.
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Since coming to High River, Cargill has been an outstanding partner in local health care. Whether that was through the donation of delicious prime rib, auction items and sponsorship of the Dinner & Action, or support through their charity golf tournament , Cargill has always been there.
