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Michael Viechweg, B.A. M. Sc. Edu. Chairman:
Michael Viechweg, a founding Board Member of the GHEF, assumed the position
of Vice Chairman in 2002. Michael, an esteemed educator and specialist in
special education, held key teaching positions in Grenada. In Canada, Michael
was an Instructor at the Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto and
taught with the Ministry of Education, the Etobicoke Board of Education,
Ontario.
Michael served the Grenadian community in Canada as the Honorary Consul
General from 1995-2002. Retired from teaching since 1995, Michael brings an
extensive repertoire of skills to his position as Vice Chairman of the GHEF.
Christopher Alexander, Vice-Chairman:
Christopher Alexander is currently a Bank Manager with a major
financial institution. He has been involved with the Grenada Hospital
Endowment Fund (GHEF) since its inception in 2001.
Rita Mason, Secretary:
Rita Mason worked with the Ministry of Health for 27 years,
where she held key positions. Rita
volunteered for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
as secretary of the Parish Counsel and at St. Mary of the Lake hospital in
Kingston, Ontario. She is also a
founding member of the “Afro-Caribe Foundation” affiliated with Queen’s
University in Kingston, Ontario.
Presently a volunteer at the Peel Children Centre in
Brampton. Actively involved in the
church choir at St. Joseph’s parish and the St. Joseph’s Convent alumni
choir. Executive member of the St.
Joseph’s Convent Alumni Association in Toronto. Rita is married with three adult children. In her spare time Rita enjoys and plays
classical music on the piano.
Denise George, B. Comm. ‚ Treasurer:
Denise George a native of Grenada has been in Canada since 1968. Denise is
the Controller for Terex Bartell Ltd., a manufacturer of construction
equipment located in Brampton. Denise brings in excess of 20 years of
experience in high level organizing, directing and controlling financial
operations to the Board of the GHEF.
As a tenured volunteer Denise is actively involved in multiple committees
responsible for the operations of the church community at Our Lady of Good
Counsel. Within this parish, Denise serves as Treasurer on the Sr. Kathleen
Jackman Memorial Award Scholarship Fund and she is the Public Relations
Officer for the Black History Program. Denise is the mother of three
children.
Paul Rose B.Sc. P.R.O:
Paul Rose has held Senior Management positions in the
Telecommunications Industry and presently serves as Director, Strategic
Alliance Management with a major Telecommunications Company.Ý His business
experience encompasses Sales, Marketing, Research and Alliance Management.
Conrad Gibbs, B.A., M.A., M.B.A. ‚ Board Member:
Conrad Gibbs assumed the position of Honorary Consul General of Grenada in
Toronto in November 2002 and became a Board Member in January 2003.
Conrad, an active member in the Grenadian community in Toronto, has
previously held key positions in the development of policy at the Ministry of
Finance in the Ontario Government and the Secretariat of the Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States. Conrad has also lectured in Economics at Seneca and
Centennial Colleges.
Jenny Gumbs, B.A. ‚ Board Member
Jenny Gumbs is a founding director of the GHEF. She assumed a key role in the
Public Service in Grenada prior to being transferred to Canada. Jenny was
appointed to the position of Honorary Consul for Grenada, Canada in 2000.
Jenny combines an active career with a deep commitment to volunteerism. She
is involved in many community organizations serving the Grenadian community
as well as volunteering for the National Kidney Organization. She is married
with one daughter.
Ron Seales ‚ B.Sc. (Pharma) Board Member:
Ron Seales is the Owner and President of Seaford Pharmaceutical Inc. Ron
has also held senior management positions in the Caribbean and Canada for
several multi-national pharmaceutical companies including Glaxo, Rorer, Rhône
Poulenc and Baxter Labs. His experience covers research and development,
manufacturing and sales and marketing. In addition, Ron is also a licensed
pharmacist in Jamaica, U.K., Province of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Ron brings
a wealth of knowledge in the area of pharmaceuticals as a founding member of
GHEF.
Eddie Bullen Board Member:
Performer, Songwriter, Arranger and Producer. Eddie Bullen is
a multi-talented Grenadian musician who started his career in 1971. He
arranged the theme song for the Canadian Gala at the 1996 Summer Olympic
Games. He won a Juno Award and was the Musical Director on the EPP Production
CELEBRATE for the Para Olympic Games in Athens. Eddie composes and arranges
for several media houses in Toronto. His studio Thunder Dome Sounds is in
Toronto.
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FACTS SHEET -
Grenada Hospital Endowment Fund
About Grenada Hospital Endowment Fund
The Grenada Hospital Endowment Fund (GHEF), established in 2001 with the
approval of the Cabinet of the Government of Grenada is headquartered in
Toronto, Canada and located at the Consulate General of Grenada. A Board of
Directors, consisting of Grenadian professionals governs the operations of
GHEF.
GHEF has a legal agreement with the Grenada
National Fundraising Committee Inc. - based in Grenada - the legal entity to
ensure that all funds from GHEF will be directed to the designated hospital
project.
The Charity Business Number is: 86031 3485
RR0001.
Mission
The mission of the Grenada Hospital Endowment Fund is to make an ongoing and
major contribution to the quality and effectiveness of health care in
Grenada.
Status of health care in Grenada
Prior to the construction of the new General Hospital in St. George's,
Grenada's original hospital was in a state of severe disarray. Built in the
mid-19th century, the hospital was no longer able to maintain proper
standards of medical hygiene, making it virtually impossible to provide
patients with essential medical and nursing care.
Achieving what few have achieved
The future of Grenada, like the future of all emerging nations, can never be
secure until the fundamental rights of its people are met. At the heart of
every nation is the basic human need for a high standard of health along with
the provision of adequate, accessible, affordable and equitable health care
services.
The people and Government of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique have
achieved what only a small handful of independent nations in the world have
accomplished ‚ the building of its new General Hospital in St. George's. This
success was made possible by the allocation from the Government of Grenada's
consolidated fund together with generous private donations from Grenadians
and international donors. These committed funds provided the necessary
resources to complete Phase I of Grenada's new state-of-the-art General
Hospital ‚ hailed as the crown jewel in the country's health care reform.
Thanks to so many for so much
On Thursday January 30th, 2003, the Prime Minister of Grenada, the Honourable
Dr. Keith Mitchell participated in the opening ceremonies for Phase I of
Grenada's new General Hospital in St. George's. This event marked a major
milestone for Grenada on the road to a brighter health care future.
Grenadians in Canada all know that the cornerstone of health care reform in
Grenada is this modern, new and well-equipped General Hospital.
But there is still more to be done
To complete Phase II of the new General Hospital, $21 million CDN additional
funds is necessary. In order to meet this objective, GHEF seeks to embark on
a strategic fund raising campaign to encourage donations that enable the
hospital to achieve this dollar target. Canadians understand that helping
emerging nations develop the fundamentals of essential health care is an
investment in everyone's future for now and generations to come.
Financial assistance will help build the health care practice in the crucial
medical disciplines of ‚ Cancer, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology,
Cardiology, Diagnostics, Acute Care ‚ Medicine/Surgery and Emergency Services
- so that the capability to treat all people, all the time is available in
Grenada.
What is the role of the Grenada Hospital Endowment Fund
All enterprises of this magnitude need partners ‚ to build and invest in
future generations. GHEF seeks partners to ensure that Phase II becomes not
just a promise but a reality. GHEF asks all persons with ties to Grenada and
Canadians committed to adequate, accessible, affordable and equitable health
care help by donating to the investment in Grenada's future. Because if we
don't, who will?
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FACTS
SHEET II - The General Hospital, St. George's
 Grenada has recently implemented Phase I of its new
state-of-the-art General Hospital in St. George's. The new $40 million CDN
health care facility, built close to the site of the previous hospital, is
part of the Government of Grenada's comprehensive plan to reform and lead the
country's health care system into the 21st century.
Phase I ‚ The General Hospital in St. George's - Grenada
The new facility has added 198 beds, to make a total of 230 acute care beds
all with patient amenities. Isolation Rooms are available for patients with
highly infectious and communicable diseases. To construct the first phase of
Grenada's new General Hospital, the Government of Grenada spent $11 million
CDN from its consolidated fund, while other funds came from private donations
both local and international.
"We are confident that Grenada's new General Hospital, which is equipped
with the latest equipment, will provide a sophisticated, wide range of
medical and support services of the highest quality," said Minister of
Health, Honourable Clarice Modeste-Curwen at the opening ceremonies for The
General Hospital on Thursday January 30th, 2003.
Services being offered since the commissioning of the new hospital include:
- Cardiology
- Facio-Maxillary
- Gastroenterology and
Infectious Diseases
- General Medicine
- General Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Urology
Currently, outpatient services offer stress testing,
echocardiograms and a limited number of pacemaker implantations. The Ministry
of Health will finalize arrangements with a Cardiologist to provide expanded
services on a regular basis at the new General Hospital. Laparoscopic and
coloscopic services will be further implemented along with the procedures for
hip replacement surgery and radical prostatectomies.
Multi-disciplinary clinical professionals will be trained to efficiently use
new diagnostic and medical equipment in a step towards improving Grenada's
expertise amongst health care providers.
Phase II ‚ The General Hospital in St. George's - Grenada
Phase II, is expected to be completed over the next 18 months and will
include the following additional services:
- Intensive Care Unit that will
be limited to a "High Dependency Unit" in the initial stage.
- Pathology and Radiology
Services will be upgraded and expanded.
- Neonatology, Dialysis, ENT
and Oncology Services will be added.
Patients will also benefit from a Customer
Complaints Service that seeks to promote quality care and address the
concerns of patients and the general public.
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A
COMPELLING CASE - Urgent health care needs in Grenada ‚ today!
Major health care needs for Grenada
The most pressing health care needs in Grenada today are:
- AIDS
- Cancer
- Cardiac related problems
- Diabetes
Many other serious health concerns are:
- Children's health - a high incidence
of rheumatic fever among infants and children.
- Cost of health care - because
many procedures and protocols are not available in Grenada.
- The dilapidated state of
hospital facilities.
- Lack of basic diagnostic
medical equipment including X-ray machines and CT scanner.
- Poor Emergency Department ‚
lack of staff and diagnostic equipment.
- A lack of confidence in the
health care system.
A strong beginning - building from a belief in accessible
health care for all!
Despite the physical environment, the medical staff has persevered and has
had remarkable successes in Ophthalmology and Orthopedic services (hip
replacement surgery) and Cardiology (pacemaker implants). In recognition of
the expertise and specialties practiced at the hospital, it is associated
with institutions in North America such as:
- The Diabetic Association.
- The Children's Health
Organization for Relief and Education in Services.
- The Homerton University
Hospital in the United Kingdom.
- St. George's Medical
University in Grenada.
In light of this grim reality of persistent, sub standard
physical plant, the committed hospital staff realized something had to be
done. With the combined initiative of the Government of Grenada, dedicated
volunteers, and from significant financial support from groups such as the
Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, national and international donors,
construction began in 1999 on the development of a new General Hospital in
St. George's at $40 million CDN. Phase I, at a cost of $19 million CDN, has
been completed and patients are now being cared for in the new, impressive
hospital ‚ Grenada General in St. George's.
St. George's General Hospital: Phase I - $19 million CDN
Major new facilities in Phase I:
- Intensive Care Unit
- Clinical Laboratories
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Operating Theatres
- Paediatrics
St. George's General Hospital: Phase II - $21 million CDN
Major new facilities in Phase II:
- Emergency Department
- Outpatient Department
- Physiotherapy Department
- Critical Diagnostic Equipment
- X-ray and CT Scanner
- Centralized Computer Systems
Immediate health care repercussions
The construction of Grenada's new General Hospital in St. George's has had an
immediate impact on patient care in Grenada together with other direct
benefits including:
- Accessibility ‚ more procedures done on
site means less expensive trips for patients and families to travel
abroad to Canada for medical/surgical procedures.
- Equipment ‚ diagnostic equipment,
basic supplies and necessary expertise on site will provide better
health care. Patients and families will not have to bring and clean
their own linens.
- Health Care System ‚ will be more effectively
coordinated and configured within the new General Hospital with improved
services and expertise.
- Children's Health Centre ‚ becomes a future
opportunity in Grenada so that children with life threatening illnesses
can get immediate medical care.
- Morale - critical to good health
care; will be greatly improved by providing the fundamental tools to all
health care providers.
Beyond the hospital itself, there are
significant spin-off benefits. Strategically the new General Hospital will be
a major economic generator via its considerable operations and capabilities.
The General Hospital will serve as a high profile component to attract
investment in Grenada for business development and opportunities, and
capitalize on major sports training and tournament event incentives in St.
George's. The benefits to the staple industry ‚ tourism will be extensive and
long-term. For Grenadians ‚ a truly reputable health care facility brings
universal pride and confidence in the nation's movement towards health care
reform.
If we don't, who will lead the way for health care initiatives in Grenada?
The Government of Grenada has committed financially to supporting improved
health care through the partial funding of the General Hospital. However, it
will simply not be enough to complete the construction of Phase II and
purchase equipment that is required to house new medical and surgical procedures.
In addition to the funding initiatives that have been undertaken to this time
for the construction of Phase I, private support will be sought for Phase II
from partners in Grenada and Canada.
The opportunity lies before us, it is time to reach beyond the horizon and
help build a prosperous and healthy future in one, small but important corner
of the world ‚ Grenada, where an independent people are building a
comprehensive foundation to health care for the 21st century. It is time to
reach out and help build the future. Because if we don't, who will?
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Address:
Grenada Hospital Endowment Fund
The Consulate General of Grenada
439 University Avenue, Suite #930
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5G 1Y8
Phone: 416.595.1343
Fax: 416.595.8278
Email: info@ghef.net
Contacts:
Michael Viechweg (Chairman) - j.viechweg@sympatico.ca
Tel: 905-450-9374
Conrad Gibbs - gibbsc@grenadaconsulate.com
Jenny Gumbs - jennyg@grenadaconsulate.com
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