Strong communities are built around strong local healthcare. As a proud sponsor of Georgetown Hospital Foundation and annual participants in the Walk or Run for Georgetown Hospital, supporting local healthcare initiatives is an important part of GBA’s commitment to the community., We recently sat down with Jennifer McNally, CFRE, AVP of Community Development at Oakville Hospital Foundation and Georgetown Hospital Foundation, to discuss the impact that donor support has on patient care, why community fundraising is essential for hospital equipment, and how businesses and families can support healthcare close to home.
Jennifer has more than 15 years of experience in healthcare philanthropy and is deeply connected to the Halton Hills community she serves. A lifelong resident of the area, she has seen firsthand the impact that local donor support can have on patient outcomes and access to care.
Jennifer McNally: Georgetown Hospital has been part of this community since 1961, and donor support has played a major role in helping the hospital continue delivering quality care close to home.
Last year alone, our Emergency Department saw nearly 34,000 visits. Government funding supports essential operations, but it does not cover the cost of upgrading hospital equipment. That is where donor support makes a direct difference.
A great example is our new CT scanner, which was fully funded through community donations. When it arrives, patients will benefit from faster scan times, lower radiation exposure, and clearer diagnostic images. That means faster answers, quicker treatment decisions, and better outcomes.
Georgetown Hospital is part of Halton Healthcare, alongside Milton District Hospital and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Every investment made here helps strengthen access to quality healthcare across the communities.
Jennifer McNally: We work closely with hospital leadership and clinical teams to understand where equipment needs are greatest.
Hospital equipment has a limited lifespan, and technology continues to evolve quickly. At the same time, our community is growing, which means demand for services is increasing.
We focus on areas where donations can have the greatest impact on patient care. The Emergency Department is often a major priority because it is one of the busiest and most critical areas of the hospital. We also support surgical services, mental health care, and diagnostic imaging.
Transparency and accountability are extremely important to us. We want donors to feel confident knowing exactly how their contributions are being used and the impact those donations are making.
Jennifer McNally: We regularly share updates through newsletters, social media, impact reports, and community events.
When new equipment is purchased, we share the stories behind it and the difference it is making for patients and care teams. We want donors to feel connected to the impact they are helping create.
Community events are also a great way to see that impact firsthand. Our annual Walk or Run for Georgetown Hospital brings together local families, businesses, and supporters around a shared purpose: strengthening healthcare close to home.
Jennifer McNally: Many people are surprised to learn that government funding does not cover hospital equipment.
Government funding supports day-to-day hospital operations, but equipment such as CT scanners, monitors, and surgical tools are funded through community donations.
A CT scanner is one of the most important diagnostic tools in a hospital. It helps identify serious injuries and illnesses quickly and accurately. When technology becomes outdated, it can impact the speed and quality of diagnosis. Updated equipment helps patients receive faster answers and better care.
Community donations make those upgrades possible. To donate today click here.
Jennifer McNally: Our Emergency Department is one of our biggest priorities right now. As our community grows, demand for emergency care continues to increase, and it is critical that the department has the equipment needed to support patients effectively.
We are also seeing increased demand due to our aging population. That means more diagnostic imaging, more surgeries, and greater pressure on healthcare services overall.
Surgical care is another important focus area. Georgetown Hospital performed more than 4,500 surgeries last year, and the equipment supporting those procedures must continue to meet modern standards.
Mental health care is also incredibly important. Across Halton Healthcare, there were more than 60,000 mental health and addictions ambulatory care visits last year. The need for accessible mental health support close to home continues to grow.
At the centre of all of this is equity of care. We want residents in the communities we serve to have access to excellent healthcare close to home.
Jennifer McNally: Local businesses play an important role in supporting healthcare in our community.
Every partnership looks a little different. Some companies support a campaign or sponsor an event, while others encourage employee involvement through fundraising initiatives and community participation.
One of the best examples is our annual Walk or Run for Georgetown Hospital on September 28th at the Gellert Community Centre. Businesses can create employee teams, raise funds together, and participate as a group. It becomes more than fundraising, it builds community and connects employees to a cause that impacts people close to home.
What I often remind business owners is that their employees, customers, and families are all patients at Georgetown Hospital. Supporting local healthcare is one of the most meaningful ways businesses can invest in the wellbeing of their community.
Jennifer McNally: Planned giving is a way for individuals to make a future charitable gift through their estate plans, often through a will.
Many people assume planned giving is only for wealthy donors, but that is not the case. For many families, a gift through their estate becomes the largest charitable contribution they will ever make.
Planned gifts can also provide important tax advantages while still ensuring loved ones are cared for first.
Most importantly, these gifts help Georgetown Hospital Foundation plan for the future and continue investing in equipment and patient care for generations to come.
I often think about the people who will rely on Georgetown Hospital years from now, our children, grandchildren, and future community members. Planned giving helps ensure the hospital is ready for them.
Jennifer McNally: The most common approach is through a bequest in a will. Donors may leave a specific amount, a percentage of their estate, or a particular asset. Some individuals also choose to name the Foundation as a beneficiary of registered accounts such as RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, or life insurance policies. Other planned giving options can include gifts of securities, real estate, donor-advised funds, or private family foundations.
Every donor’s situation is unique, which is why these conversations are always tailored to an individual’s personal goals, family priorities, and charitable values. What I always encourage people to do is simply start the conversation. There is no obligation, no minimum gift amount, and all conversations remain confidential.
To learn more about planned giving at Georgetown Hospital Foundation, contact Felicia Sciberras, Vice President of Philanthropy, at FSCIBERRAS@haltonhealthcare.com or 647 922 0165.
Supporting local healthcare is one of the most meaningful ways a community can invest in its future. Through donor support, business partnerships, and planned giving, Georgetown Hospital Foundation continues to help ensure families have access to quality care close to home for generations to come.
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