Hospital Foundation modernizes bylaws, backs nursing future
Cathy Fox
Local Journalism Initiative
Published online September 24, 2025, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
SHAWVILLE – The Pontiac Hospital Foundation (PHF) held its annual general meeting, September 12 at the Pontiac Community Hospital, unveiling major updates to bylaws that haven’t been reviewed since their creation more than 50 years ago.
One of the most significant changes was eliminating membership fees as a requirement for serving on the board, a practice members confirmed had not been applied in recent years. Language in the bylaws was also modernized with inclusive pronouns, and conditions for removing uncooperative board members were updated to allow more timely responses.
Other key revisions included:
- Expanding the number of board directors from 9 to 13, with only one position reserved for a practitioner with active Pontiac hospital privileges.
- Eliminating the category of auxiliary members.
- Replacing the Executive Director position with that of Secretary-Treasurer, with duties that may be delegated to hospital staff.
- Electing the president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer from within the board itself.
Despite reporting a $109,000 deficit, the foundation reassured attendees the shortfall will be balanced by the end of the fiscal year in March. Spending totalling $152,276.84, went toward essential equipment funded through community fundraising, including an emergency sterilization system for power outages, oncology chairs, an extra-long hospital bed, and an emergency locking system for the dementia unit.
A significant long-term investment of $20,000 per year promises a good return: four annual bursaries of $5,000 each for four nursing students. In return, recipients must commit to working one year at the hospital for every year of funding received. “Keeping trained nurses is the biggest challenge in the Pontiac, with higher wages available just across the river. This should help fill that need,” explained Dr. Thomas O’Neill.
Danielle Romain, head of the Family Medicine Group (GMF), shared positive feedback from a recent visit by McGill University representatives for student trainees that do four-week rotations under local doctors. Each year, up to 45 medical trainees—including interns and medical students—are housed near the hospital and supervised by the GMF. The group also oversees nine private doctors, clinics and ensures access to care for “orphan” patients without a family physician. Thanks to recent efforts, many clinics have begun accepting new patients on a shared-appointment model.
Three new board positions are now open to community members who are not hospital employees. Candidates should be active volunteers and non-partisan.
Photo: PHF Board of Directors, from left: Nicole Boucher-Larivière, Leanne Gray, Mike Rusenstrom, Elaine Lang, Dr. Thomas O’Neill, Sylvia Poisson Hodgins, Richard Grimard, Pat Moffat, Danielle Romain, and Allan Dean (President). (CF)
