St Francis Memorial Hospital

Name :

St Francis Memorial Hospital

Address  :

7 St. Francis Memorial Dr
Box 129

Town  :

Barrys Bay

State  :

Ontario

Country  :

CANADA

Post Code:

K0J 1B0

Phone  :

613 756 3044

Fax  :

613 756 0168

Web URL  :

Available

Email  :

unitclerk@sfmhosp.com

Description

Mission
St Francis Memorial Hospital Is The Leading Contributor In The Provision Of Optimal Health Care For Residents And Visitors Of The Communities We Serve In Partnership With Others We Provide Access To High Quality Healthcare Services And Programs

Vision
St Francis Memorial Will Be A Leader In Rural Health Care Delivery And Foster The Enhancement Of Community Well Being

Values
The People Of St Francis Memorial Are Committed To The Core Values Of

Respecting People

Improving Patientclient Safety

Achieving Excellence

Striving For Innovation

Demonstrating Leadership And Accountability

Promoting Team Work And Professionalism

History

Our History
The Idea
On a hill overlooking a bay on beautiful Lake Kamaniskeg just outside the Village of Barrys Bay stands St Francis Memorial Hospital the realization of a dream a tribute and testimonial to a unique individual who was largely responsible for much of the growth of the Village of Barrys Bay

It was the foresight determination and vision of the late Rt Rev Peter Biernacki Parish Priest of St Hedwigs that were significant factors in the planning and the erection of this sorelyneeded building A humanitarian with the needs of the people always at heard Monsignor was strongly aware of the need of a hospital facilities and care for an evergrowing Community The nearest hospitals were at Pembroke Renfrew and Bancroft some fifty to sixty miles away Lives could be lost he said and emergency care not available

Formation of Ladies Auxiliary
In the early 1940s he revealed his dream to his parishioners who responded with alacrity and full cooperation in 1946 the Ladies Auxiliary was formed to lead the parish in a campaign for funds It persevered resolutely throughout the years and raised some 38000 for the institution This was far from being sufficient to launch the undertaking Monsignor therefore broadened his field of canvass to include neighbouring Parishes Township Councils Heads of Corporate Bodies individuals and interested Departments of Governments He received many pledges of assistance and encouragement

But fate has its own designs Monsignor Biernacki was denied the privilege of seeing the culmination of his dedication and work Ill health and his death in December 1958 cut short his endeavors

Fortunately Mr Henry J Chapeski a life long versatile and dedicated parishioner as well as a publicspirited citizen with a deep knowledge and experience in business and municipal affairs brought Monsignors dream into reality Tenacity know how and the cooperation of several individuals gave to the district one of the finest and most modern small rural hospitals in the Province

Hospital Land Purchased 1947
The land for the hospital site was purchased in 1947 Planning stages were initiated as early as 1948 and later formulated by Monsignor Biernacki and Mr HJ Chapeski with the continual support of the entire Community The Charter was applied for in 1949 and was received on May 12 1952 The official sod turning ceremony took place in August 1959 and construction was duly begun The Cornerstone was laid at the new St Francis Memorial Hospital site on Wednesday November 4 1959 The ceremony was under the direction of the Hon Matthew B Dymond Minister of Health assisted by Hon James A Maloney and dedicated to the memory of Rt Rev Peter B Biernacki The 445000 hospital took approximately 10 months to erect Construction was done by M Sullivan amp Sons of Arnprior Architect for the building was Morris Woolfson of Ottawa It is a 34bed hospital approximately 300 by 44 in size and has red brick decor exterior

Official Opening 1960
The first baby born at the hospital was Andrea Chapeski daughter of Dr amp Mrs AH Chapeski and granddaughter of Mr amp Mrs Henry Chapeski

On Tuesday October 25 1960 the hospital was officially opened by the Hon Leslie Frost Premier of Ontario assisted by the grand niece of Monsignor Peter B Biernacki 7 year old Beverly Flynn The Chairman for the occasion was Mr Paul Yakabuski Reeve of the Village of Barrys Bay who welcomed the honoured guests the Hon James A Maloney Minister of Mines and MLA for Renfrew South Mr Murray Daly Reeve of Sherwood Jones amp Burns and Warden of Renfrew County Mr Maurice Hamilton MLA for Renfrew North and Dr JB Neilson who brought greetings from the Ontario Hospital Services Commission All speakers commended the organizations and individuals in the Community who had given so unstintingly of their time and efforts and their monetary assistance Also present for the occasion was His Excellency Most Rev WJ Smith Bishop of Pembroke who blessed the hospital and offered Mass in the Hospital Chapel Rev AJ Maika Parish Priest of St Hedwigs and clergy from the neighbouring parishes also were in attendance Some 1500 citizens of the area were on hand to see the culmination of years of sacrifice and hard work Several members of the Sisters of St Joseph whose Motherhouse is in Pembroke were also present It was to this congregation of Sisters to whom the Administration of the hospital was designated Sr Mary Emma was named directress and with six other sisters was placed in complete charge of the Administration and Nursing and Technical operations of the new Hospital

Initial Staff and Board
The initial staff of Nurses and Employees numbered 35 The Medical Staff was comprised of Dr AH Chapeski Dr P Dooley Dr FW Eggert and they were assisted by Dr P Wallbridge on the Courtesy Staff

The initial Board of Directors was composed of Chairman Mr Henry J Chapeski Mr Chris Corrigan Mr Edward Shalla Mr Maxie Mintha and Mr Paul Yakabuski

Throughout the years the staff of St Francis Memorial Hospital has continued to server the Village of Barrys Bay and all adjoining Communities in a professional and dedicated manner

In 1960 the hospital served about 15000 within a 25 mile radius

First Accreditation
In November 1966 St Francis Memorial Hospital received its first Accreditation survey and has since been successful in attaining this status every three years

In January 1971 the Barrys Bay Ambulance Service came into existence Its base is situated at the hospital At this time there were approximately 200 calls with 32200 kilometres traveled In March 1983 there were approximately 750 calls with a distance of 83000 kilometres traveled Previous to 1971 Ambulance Services to the Community were provided by Mr William Goulet

Expansion in 1985
When the hospital was constructed provision was included for expansion should the need arise In 1985 the expansion program brought the bed compliment to 17 beds for chronic care and 24 active care beds and provided for an enlarged Physiotherapy Department an enlarged EmergencyAmbulatory Care Department a new main entrance plus improved office and supply accommodation Plans also included new heating ventilation and air conditioning throughout the new and existing building

The Name
Whence the nomenclature St Francis Memorial
St Francis of Assisi was chosen as the Patron Saint for the hospital because of his great love for all of Gods creatures his characteristic gift of sympathy for the whole world especially for the poor the sick and the fallen his courtesy and charity to all his boundless sense of fellowfeeling his sincerity and simplicity and his power of healing

The word Memorial was included because the structure was to be a memento to all who had served their Country in two World Wars

From the time of its inception the hospital has tried to maintain the hopes contained in Premier Frosts closing statement at the Official Opening May this be a great institution of usefulness and mercy to the residents of Barrys Bay and surrounding Community