You can inspire hope, health and healing through your donations because patients are our priority.
You can inspire hope, health and healing through your donations because patients are our priority.
Donors to the Foundation who have supported work of the Foundation by contribution with an accumulation of $10,000 or more up to $25,000 are recognized as Benefactor of the Foundation. This membership is recognized with a Silver salmon plaque on the Foundation’s recognition wall.
Dr Brian Ayotte and his spouse Dr Gail Ayotte arrived in Salmon Arm in 1980, having come here with their young family from Winnipeg. Brian had been practicing and teaching internal medicine at the St Boniface Hospital. Gail was completing a residency in Nephrology. Brian set up practice as the first Internal Medicine Specialist in the community. Dr Gail opted to look after family rather than establishing a practice here. Over the years Gail’s skills were put to great use in caring for geriatric patients as they moved through the medical and care systems in the community. Serving on the Medical Staff at the hospital as a solo practitioner with 24 hour a day 365 day a year responsibility prompted Brian to work towards recruitment of other specialists in his and other specialties to serve the community. His efforts were rewarded and the community benefits to this day. With a flair for administrative functions Brian became the Chief of Staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital. He served on many inter-hospital committees to improve the delivery of health services across the whole region. After the establishment of Regional Authorities to bring governance to hospitals Brian served as Chief of Staff for the North Okanagan Region. Brian and Gail seemed to want a touch of the country life. They established themselves upon arrival in Salmon Arm on what might be described as a ‘hobby ranch’ and became quite adept at raising sheep. Gail became quite an expert at carding and spinning wool. With her group she competed with success in competitions as far away as Edmonton. As retirement grew nearer for the Ayottes they decided to leave the ranch and built themselves a retirement home up near the ski hill. Again showing the pioneer spirit, their home built of log is off line to hydro and telephone. They have made it a real showpiece.
The Canoe Seniors Citizens Association was established in 1973 and operates in Canoe BC. The association has approximately 100 members from the Shuswap area. They hold many activities in the Canoe Hall such as crib, seasonal events, and barbeque evenings. The Bingo game nights helps fund yearly events that are fun for all ages. The Shuswap Hospital Foundation very much appreciates the efforts of the Canoe Seniors Citizens Association and we are thankful for the most generous support of our newest Benefactors, Canoe Seniors Citizens Association.
Dr. Lee Penner sadly passed away in November of 2016. Dr. Penner and his wife Jos raised their family in Salmon Arm and Dr. Penner worked for many years at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital as well as in family practice. He was a well respected and much loved physician and general practitioner who made a difference to health care in our community. His career spanned many aspects of health care including surgery, anaesthetics, emergency and obstetrics, he delivered well over 1,000 babies!. Dr. Penner was a UBC Clinical Professor for medical students mentoring in rural practice, he also served as President of the Medical Staff and Chief of Staff and became a mentor, advisor and respected colleague to many. Dr. Penner also enjoyed activities within the community, he was a Rotarian, and worked with organizations such as Citizens on Patrol, Haney Heritage Village and the Probus Club. His hobby of boating led him to become a Boat Safety Inspector and a Power Boat Squadron member.
Welcome to our newest Benefactors Wilbert and Shirley Stewart. Wilbert and Shirley Stewart have lived in Sicamous almost 20 years and prior to that they resided in Salmon Arm where they farmed and raised their 2 children. Now they are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Ellen Walton is a long time resident of Salmon Arm and has lived in the area for over 35 years. Ellen was proud to be a war bride, she was one of seventeen young ladies in this area who had been raised outside of Canada and married Canadian servicemen. They were known as ‘The War Brides’ and would meet often over the years. Ellen was married to Ron Walton who spent his working life in the lumber industry after service in the R.C.A. during W.W.11. Now at 90 years of age, Ellen enjoys her flowers and is an avid gardener who creates all her own flower baskets for summer time enjoyment. Ellen also enjoys spending time cooking and with her family, she is a very active individual and she has made a strong commitment to health care through Shuswap Hospital Foundation.
