Members of the Deep River and District Health Auxiliary announced $157,000 in donations to Deep River and District Health (DRDH) at this year’s Annual General Meeting and Luncheon. Pictured here presenting the donation is Maureen Bakewell, Marguerite Santone, Janna Hotson – DRDH President and CEO, Eileen Burke – Auxiliary President, Judith Cloutier, Patricia Clouthier, and William Willard – DRDH Executive Vice President and CFO
The Deep River and District Health Auxiliary has announced $157,000 in donations to support healthcare services and equipment upgrades in the region.
The funding commitments were unveiled during the Auxiliary’s annual general meeting and luncheon on May 7, attended by volunteers, hospital leadership and staff from Deep River and District Health.
The largest donations include $50,000 for a new secure medication storage room in the hospital’s emergency department and another $50,000 to replace patient lifts on the medical floor and at Four Seasons Lodge. Hospital officials say the projects are aimed at improving medication security, patient care and staff safety.
The Auxiliary is also contributing $17,000 to the Preschool Speech and Language Program, continuing long-standing support for early intervention services for children in the region.
Another $40,000 has been committed toward the future replacement of the hospital’s mammography machine. Officials say the current unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, with the total replacement project expected to cost about $600,000.
During the meeting, Deep River and District Health President and CEO Janna Hotson and executive vice-president and chief financial officer William Willard also provided updates on the new Four Seasons Lodge long-term care home currently under construction.
Officials said the modernized facility will expand long-term care services in the region. Plans were also shared to convert the current Four Seasons Lodge building into a three-bed hospice space serving Deep River and surrounding communities.
Auxiliary president Eileen Burke thanked volunteers for their contributions over the past year. From April 2025 through March 2026, volunteers contributed nearly 14,800 hours supporting programs and services including the Whistle Stop, Gift Shop, palliative care and Four Seasons Lodge.
The Auxiliary, founded in 1974, has donated more than $2 million to healthcare initiatives in the region over the past five decades.
(Steve Berard)
