Simcoe County Warden Gerry Marshall presented Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) with a $1 million donation Wednesday in support of the renovation to its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The funding is part of a $45 million commitment in support of capital and redevelopment projects that will be allocated over 15 years to area hospitals that serve Simcoe County residents. From 2017 to 2031, $3 million will be distributed each year through collaboration with the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance which includes hospitals in Alliston, Barrie, Collingwood, Midland, Newmarket, Orillia as well as the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene.

Dating back to 1994, the County has committed $107 million to support area hospitals.

“Our newly renovated NICU officially opened in February, 2017,” said Pat Campbell, OSM President and CEO. “Before the renovation project was completed, the space hadn’t been touched for more than 30 years and was overcrowded.”

“Thanks to the support of community partners like the County of Simcoe, we now have a state of the art NICU that’s more than double the size, as well as updated equipment and technology. This means safer and more comfortable care for our tiniest patients and their families.”

Simcoe County Warden Gerry Marshall said he is thrilled to see the positive impact the renovation has had on patient care the Hospital.

“County Council is committed to ensuring our communities have access to the health-care services they need,” Warden Marshall said. “Investing vital funds in this Level 2 NICU facility will directly impact the quality of care our newest residents receive for decades to come.”

With the completion of the Hospital’s $2.7 Million NICU project, the OSMH Foundation is now fundraising for a new CT Scanner. To learn more about this and other equipment and technology needs, call the Foundation office at 705-325-6464 or visit www.osmhfoundation.ca.