$970,000
Raised Last Year
It is an honour and a privilege to serve as Chair of the Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation. Our community is like no other. The passion for our hospital and the generosity of our supporters continues to inspire me on a daily basis. Whether it’s playing a round of golf in our annual tournament, taking a walk in the Stride & Ride event, responding to our various campaigns or buying more Smile cookies than the entire country – you are there for us. For this, I am truly grateful.
The foundation is poised and ready to continue raising funds to ensure that our hospital operates with state-of-the-art equipment and continues to provide exceptional care close to home. Together, we’ve got this!
-Sandie
Until her retirement in the fall of 2022, Sandie was the Executive Director of True Experience Supportive Housing & Community Work Program in Dunnville, a community based organization supporting people that live with mental illness.
Prior to that, she was a professor of business and entrepreneurship. She was actively involved in the design and delivery of entrepreneurial training programs on a regional, provincial and international level.
Sandie was the recipient of Hamilton’s “Woman of Distinction Award” in the category of Business, Industry and Entrepreneurship. In November 2017, Sandie received a “Canada 150 Medal” for “her innovative efforts to bring people living with mental illness to feel included and valued in their community”.
Sandie and her husband Randy live on a small farm in Haldimand County with their three donkeys and two Jack Russell Terriers.
Melissa Baisley has been working in the community and health care for 17 years and brings a wealth of education and experience in administration, building and maintaining strong relationships and the provision of exceptional care and customer service. Melissa is a Supervisor of Programs and Support at Grandview Lodge.
A long-time resident of Haldimand County, Melissa has dedicated years of voluntary service to local sports clubs, non-profit organizations and has been a volunteer firefighter for Haldimand County for 10 years. She has been actively involved in numerous committees related to leadership, safety, and quality improvement. She is an active First/Aid & CPR Instructor and member of the Health and Safety Committee for Haldimand Fire Services.
Melissa is a skilled facilitator, life-long learner and mother of three. She values community service and is dedicated to promoting quality healthcare services in Haldimand County. She is a recent graduate of the Recreation Therapy Program at Canadore College and values continuing education. She is passionate about learning, mentoring others and contributing to her community.
Originally from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Drew is new to Dunnville after becoming an Owner/Operator and purchasing the local McDonald’s in April 2022. Drew graduated from Ottawa University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration before moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he worked for a McDonalds Franchisee. He recently relocated from Halifax with his wife, Lisa and their two young children to purchase two McDonald’s restaurants in the Niagara region.
Drew has been actively involved in the communities he has lived in and understands the importance of being community driven. He has coached minor hockey/power skating and served on the Board of Directors for the Cobequid Hospital in Nova Scotia. He is McMission certified with Ronald McDonald House Charities and was also a two-time recipient of a McDonalds People Award, and a Running Great Restaurants Award.
In his spare time he enjoys golfing, playing hockey, spending time with his family, dog, and friends, and cheering on the Toronto Maples Leafs and Buffalo Bills.
A resident of Haldimand County since 2018, Matt Terry is a communications and marketing professional with extensive experience working in the public sector. He currently serves as Executive Director, Marketing, Brand and Communications at Brock University. Previously, Matt served as Director of Corporate Communications for Norfolk County and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, where he was responsible for managing communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. He began his career at McMaster University, where he also earned his degree in political science. Matt and family live in the village of York.
As a longtime volunteer and director with the Dunnville Health Centre Volunteer Association, Nadia believes in their mission to support medical staff, provide care and comfort to patients at both HWMH and Edgewater Gardens.
Being a member since 2012, Nadia is currently a director and has volunteered both at the Information Desk and Gift Shop. She takes joy in fundraising for patient care and has helped to raise funds for blanket warmers, the Teleradiology start up, and the 2017 Dinner Gala for the new Hospital Emergency Department.
Nadia has spent time with St John Ambulance, Central Nursing Division, Toronto and in March of 1976 she received the Priory Most Venerable Order of St John Ambulance of Jerusalem.
As a volunteer with the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS) in Toronto, Nadia has been a director, a co-chair of Grass Roots, and a committee member of the Annual Gala.
Nadia’s working career encompassed advertising, graphic and printing industries.
New to our board this year is Brad Spencer.
Brad will soon retire from his position as the Executive Director of PATH Employment Services, a non-profit agency that has been serving the employment interests of people with disabilities since 1972. Over his 21 years with PATH he helped develop the agency to one that has been recognized and won the Consumer Choice Award for the best employment service for thirteen consecutive years.
Brad brings some experience to his role. He served as president of the Canadian Club of Hamilton in 2012 – 2013 and the Rotary Club of Hamilton in 2017 – 2018. In 2021 he joined the Dunnville Rotary Club supporting his wife Lynn who was president in 2021 – 2022.
Brad is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario. He and his wife Lynn have seven grandchildren and along with their golden retriever, Lyra, enjoy camping, canoeing, woodworking and time spent with family and friends.
Josh was born and raised in Dunnville and has lived in the area his entire life.
He received a bachelor’s in business administration from Brock University in 2013 and is currently the CEO of BJ Take, a local manufacturer that produces LED light fixtures.
Josh enjoys hobbies such as golf and fishing and spending time with his family and friends.
Bernie is a lifelong resident of Dunnville. He retired from Stelco as a Shift Supervisor. For 50 years, Bernie has worked tirelessly in the municipal government field. He served 8 terms on Council as Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Regional Councillor and Ward Councillor. During his time in municipal government, Bernie was appointed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs to sit on the Transition Board to set up new counties for Haldimand and Norfolk.
Bernie has chaired both the Haldimand County Utility Board and the Haldimand Police Services Board and has served on many other boards and bodies.
As an existing Director for the Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation, Bernie brings his experience from previous roles with the True Experience Supportive Housing Board and the Haldimand War Memorial Hospital Board.
Bernie’s commitment to the community of Dunnville and Haldimand county has been unwavering as he also chaired a committee to raise funds for those affected by a Grand River flood and held the role as the Incorporating Chair for the Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre.
Bernie and his wife Brenda recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. They have 2 children and Bernie enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing.
We welcome Bernie to the DHHF Board and look forward to learning from all of his experiences!
Craig grew up in Windsor Ontario and made several career moves over 25 years at Canada Post in which he retired as a regional manager of Human Resources in the GTA.He moved to Smithville, when he became the the Human Resources manager for CPC.While living in Smithville he was a long serving member of the volunteer fire and rescue service along with being a member of the board of directors for the Legion Villa.Craig made a final move to Dunnville where he and Tara his wife of almost 40 years enjoy the many great things that Dunnville and Haldimand County has to offer.Craig joined the DHHF to continue his desire to give back to the community and help those in need.
Sharon Moore is the President and CEO for Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and Edgewater Gardens.
Sharon has a degree in Nursing from McMaster University and a Master in Health Studies from Athabasca University.
Sharon is passionate about excellent patient care. She is a broad systems thinker and strives to bring diverse groups together with the main purpose to care for the needs of patients & residents, their families, and the community.
Sharon is also a member of the Discipline and Fitness to Practice Committees at the College of Nurses’ of Ontario.
Liz MacDonald retired from Toys R Us Canada where she held the position of Vice President of Marketing and Store Planning. She oversaw a team of 27 people and was responsible for the marketing functions which included: brand management, advertising – traditional and omni-channel, public relations, special events and store design.
Liz began her career as an Event Sales Manager for Tennis Canada and then moved into retail at Sporting Life as Director of Marketing, where she was responsible for brand advertising, loyalty programs and special events. Liz then joined Ranscombe and Company, an Advertising Agency, as Vice President Client Services
Liz continued her retail career joining TJX Canada for five years as Associate Vice President, Marketing, responsible for brand, store design and layout for the HomeSense brand and for all marketing analytics and customer research. Following her work at TJX, Liz joined Shoppers Drug Mart as Vice President Retail Marketing,
Liz is bilingual, and holds two degrees and a certificate from York University: a Masters of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business, a BA in Physical Education and a Certificate in Sport Administration. Her volunteer commitments include Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Canadian Women’s Foundation and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Liz enjoys life on the lake with her partner Sue, entertaining good friends, and enjoying a round of golf at Dunnville Golf Course where she is a member.
Darlene and I selected Dunnville to live out our retirement years for many reasons but first and foremost because of our Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and its reputation for quality of service. After forty years of retail operations and marketing, I decided to become a volunteer with the DHHF in order to help raise the funds needed, but which the provincial government does not provide, to continue offering the best possible care to this community.
I am pleased to bring my fifteen years of experience managing over two hundred stores for Consumers Distributing followed by twenty-five years as President of Danridge Marketing Inc., to help our volunteers, board members and the DHHF staff’s ongoing efforts to ensure the HWMH is best able to serve our county.
B.A. (McMaster), B.P.E. (Brock), M. Ed. (Brock)
A lifelong resident of Haldimand County, Bob was born at Haldimand War Memorial Hospital. He attended Dunnville Central Public School and Dunnville Secondary. Following that Bob pursued post-secondary education and became an elementary school teacher for 10 years, and then spent twenty years in administration with the Haldimand County and then Grand Erie District School Boards.
Following retirement Bob became a Faculty Advisor for the Faculty of Education at Brock University – a position he held for 17 years.
Currently, Bob is a real estate professional with Aberwin Realty Inc. Hamilton.
Bob is a member, Steward and Trustee of Canfield United Church and a Director and Vice-president of the Canfield Community Centre. As a volunteer firefighter for 37 years, Bob initiated the Canfield Fire Department Senators Organization.
Bob has been happily married to his wife Betty for 49 years and together they have 4 children. He enjoys fishing for perch, playing golf and wood working.
“My heart has always belonged to small towns.”
As a child, Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and Edgewater Garden’s new Board Chair spent the summer months visiting her grandparent’s rural farming community in Poland. Now, Joanna’s love for small communities has only grown. Her life, career, and passions are tied to Haldimand County where she lives with her husband — a born and raised Haldimand County resident — and works as a Senior Account Manager in agricultural banking.
Joanna’s journey with Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and Edgewater Gardens first began in 2016 when she moved to Dunnville and became a volunteer member of the Board’s Finance and Audit Committee. “Serving as a committee volunteer opened my eyes to how impactful the hospital and Edgewater are to the community. After that first year, I knew I wanted to become a Board Member.” After six years on the Board, Joanna stepped into her new role as Board Chair in June 2022. As Board Chair, Joanna is responsible for supporting the community, the hospital, Edgewater and the employees. Joanna’s vision for the two-year term is to continue working towards building capacity within Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and Edgewater Gardens. New long-term care beds, physician recruitment, and establishing new partnerships are among some of the priorities to build a stronger health system within Haldimand County. If you see Joanna around the community, please feel free to say hello. As your neighbour, she is always available to connect and lend a helping hand.
Executive Director
Deb Rollo, is the Executive Director of Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation. Her work career has spanned over twenty years in both the not-for-profit industry and healthcare.
A true border baby, Deb has strong family ties in both Western New York and Dunnville, Ontario. She has spent every summer of her life at the Lake and has lived in Dunnville for 18 years and Fonthill for 15. She, and her husband (author) Gord have recently moved back to the area.
Deb has formal education from the University of Buffalo with a focus on Social Services and Business Administration.
Deb’s career has been one that has focused on improving life of individuals who have barriers. She has held senior management positions at Haldimand-Norfolk Senior Support Services. She was Executive Director of Community Support Services of Niagara and CrimeStoppers of Niagara. Deb further worked with Niagara Region and the City of Welland; helping to make Welland the 1st recognized age-friendly community in Niagara.
Deb has worked in the healthcare industry as Health Services Coordinator with the City of Port Colborne where she held membership with (CASPR) the Canadian Association of Staff Physician Recruiters.
Deb has been a volunteer member of the Age-Friendly Committee of Niagara, The Town of Pelham’s Senior Advisory Committee, a Board Member of Pelham Cares and the past Chair of the Welland Age-Friendly Committee. She has supported the City of Port Colborne Seniors Advisory Committee and the Social Determinants of Health Committee.
In her spare time she likes kayaking and spending time with husband Gord, their three children, Amanda, Andrew and Emily and their two Boston Terriers.
Donor Relations & Financial Officer
Rachel is the Donor Relations & Financial Officer at the Dunnville Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. Born and raised in Dunnville Ontario, Rachel has a passion for her community and in particular supporting health care.
Rachel completed her high school and college placements as an Assistant at the Foundation and never looked back. After 10 years in the Foundation, she has a wealth of fundraising knowledge, and enjoys working with our donors and volunteers.
Rachel has a diploma from Mohawk College in Medical Office Administration, along with a recent certificate in Financial Management Accounting and Records & Information Management.
Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and three children at the beach and on their boat during the summer. When not busy with her fast-paced life, Rachel enjoys relaxing at home and spending time with family and friends.
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Hi! My name is Ayla Robertson and I am the new Marketing & Events Coordinator for the Dunnville Hospital and Health Foundation.
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, traveling, and trying new things.
With an advanced diploma in General Arts & Liberal Science and a post-graduate in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, I am confident that my education has given me the tools to work with the Foundation and bring a better understanding to the powers of social media and virtual communication around Dunnville and surrounding areas. I am so excited to use my skills to help us connect further with this wonderful tight-knit community.