WDH Foundation News & Events

Upcoming Events

Brad Burton’s Ride the Midwest 2026

August 13 to 16, 2026

Sarnia to Wingham, ON

Brad Burton, a Wingham native and son of Fred & Nancy Burton, is planning to cycle 512km from Sarnia, ON to Wingham, ON over the course of 4 days in August to raise funds and awareness for the Wingham & District Hospital. It is a personal cause for Brad. Growing up in Wingham, the hospital was there for him and his family and, in part it was where is father received compassionate and professional palliative care. Brad feels that in this challenging healthcare landscape it is more important than ever to support local hospitals.

Route Plan:
Leg 1 – Sarnia to Holmesville
Leg 2 – Holmesville to Southampton
Leg 3 – Southampton to Listowel
Leg 4 – Listowel to Wingham

Support Brad

Current Funding Priorities

2026/2027 – Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging is one of the most widely used and essential diagnostic tools in modern medicine. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time image of internal organs, tissues and blood flow – without the use of radiation – making it a safe and effective option for patients of all ages.

Our current ultrasound machine has reached the end of its useful lifespan and is no longer able to meet the demands of our diagnostic imaging program. Replacing the ultrasound will significantly improve image quality, reliability, and access to care.

Ongoing Needs

The need for new, up to date medical equipment and improvements to the Hospital never ends. Everyone at the Hospital is constantly striving to improve the patient experience. Having the most up to date and innovative equipment and facilities directly improves the quality of healthcare that patients receive. The Foundation also provides financial support annually to the Wingham & Area Health Professionals Recruitment Committee to help attract quality physicians to our hospital.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, the WDH Foundation is proud to have funded more than $16 million in medical equipment and facility upgrades at the Wingham & District Hospital. Donors like you have the power to keep this legacy going. By making a gift to the WDH Foundation you are providing our caregivers with the tools they need to serve the community.

Gifts made to the WDH Foundation go directly towards high priority needs. Some of the essential items that are required in the 2026-2027 year include:

  • Blood gas analyzer
  • Inpatient mattresses
  • ER stretcher
  • Ultrasound
  • Wheelchairs
  • ER defibrillators
  • Patient monitoring system

Total funding needs for 2026-2027 = $1,128,854

Foundation News

Vance Fund Contributes Over $85,000 to Ultrasound at Wingham Hospital

The Wingham & District Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce a generous contribution of $85,170 from the Leland and Thora Vance Fund, administered through the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. The donation will support the purchase of a new ultrasound machine for Wingham & District Hospital.

For decades, Lee and Thora Vance were dedicated members of the Wingham community, known not only for their local pharmacy business but also for their commitment to giving back. Through the endowment fund established in their name, their legacy of community investment continues to make a meaningful difference in Wingham.

The Wingham & District Hospital Foundation has been fortunate to receive ongoing support from the Vance Fund over the years. This latest gift represents a significant investment in local healthcare and will help ensure patients have access to modern diagnostic technology close to home.

The Foundation extends its heartfelt appreciation to the members of the Vance Fund committee for their continued stewardship of the fund and dedication to preserving Vance’s spirit of generosity.

Vance Fund Committee – Dave Tiffin, Lisa Hearnden, Carol Phillips and Paul Heffer – with WDH Foundation Director Jill Montgomery (middle)

Wingham & District Hospital Foundation Announces a $2.6 Million Contribution

L to R: Foundation Vice-Chair Zak Ashley, Foundation Director Jill Montgomery, DI Manager Jaide Campbell, Foundation Treasurer Peg Lockridge, LWHA CEO Esther Millar, and Foundation Executive Director Nicole Duquette

The Wingham & District Hospital Foundation has announced a contribution of more than $2.6 million to support patient care and hospital improvements during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The funding will provide essential medical equipment that will directly benefit patients across the region.

A significant portion of this year’s investment includes the final installments toward the hospital’s new CT scanner, a transformative addition made possible through the Foundation’s Caring Together capital campaign. The CT Scanner is now operating 24/7 and is helping patients access faster diagnostic imaging close to home, reducing the need to travel outside the community for care.

Additional funding this year supported a wide range of priorities throughout the hospital, including a new bone density unit – a brand-new service for the hospital – as well as, orthopedic surgical tools, a scope drying cabinet, oncology chairs, medication carts, wheelchairs, mattresses, and pain pumps.

The Foundation also continued its annual support of the Wingham & Area Health Professionals Recruitment Committee, helping attract and retain healthcare professionals for the community.
“These investments reflect the incredible commitment our community has to sustaining excellent local health services,” said Executive Director Nicole Duquette-Jutzi. “Every dollar helps put vital tools and technology in the hands of our competent and compassion care team.”

This year’s fundraising success was made possible through generous support from donors, businesses, service clubs, grant programs, the CKNX Healthcare Heroes Radiothon, the Giving Tuesday Big Match campaign, memorial gifts, and other fundraising initiatives. The Auxiliary to the Wingham & District Hospital also made a significant contribution of more than $24,000 toward equipment purchases.

Since its establishment, the Wingham & District Hospital Foundation has contributed more than $16.7 million to the hospital in support of patient care and medical equipment.

The FCC celebrates the success of their second event!

The Wingham & District Hospital Foundation is celebrating the success of the second event hosted by the Future Care Collective and the group’s first-ever Showdown Reception. The lively evening brought members together for a fun Pitches & Pitchers themed event where great food, friendly competition, and community spirit helped raise $34,200 in support of equipment for the Wingham & District Hospital.

The ballpark-inspired event featured a themed menu and décor. The highlight of the evening was the pitch contest when hospital representatives stepped up to present important equipment needs at the hospital.

Three project pitches were presented to the group. Dr. Sean Henderson spoke about the need for new defibrillators to support critical emergency care. Jaide Campbell, Diagnostic Imaging Manager, alongside Medical Radiation Technologist Heather Logan, presented the case for a new ultrasound machine to enhance diagnostic imaging services. Orthopedic tools were pitched by Manager of Surgical Services Tori Ducharme and Director if Operations Michelle Wick, highlighting their importance in establishing a new surgical service.

Following the presentations, Future Care Collective members cast their votes to determine which project would receive the $34,200 raised through the annual contributions of the club’s 52 current members. The winning project was the new ultrasound machine, which will help improve imaging quality and support access to fast and accurate diagnoses for patients in the community.

Catch Up on Past WDH Foundation News

“The Foundation Connection” newsletter is available online! Simply click on the edition you’d like to read.

Spring 2026 Newsletter

Winter 2025 Newsletter