LAURIE WEIR

After years of planning and anticipation, the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) celebrated the grand opening of the Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department (ED) at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) on Monday, Jan. 27.

This milestone marks a new era in healthcare for Carleton Place and surrounding communities.

The newly constructed Emergency Department offers a patient-centred environment designed to meet modern healthcare needs, enhancing the delivery of trusted emergency services provided by the same skilled professionals who have served the community for decades.

Cavanagh family members, hospital officials, local politicians, and community members gathered in the foyer of the new ED to celebrate the achievement.

Brad Harrington, president and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance, emphasized the event’s significance as a transformational milestone for the community, symbolizing progress, resilience, and a commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare. Harrington acknowledged the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, recognizing their connection to the land and committing to reconciliation.

He expressed gratitude to numerous contributors, including past leaders such as Toni Surko, former hospital CEO; Mary Wilson Trider, former president and CEO; and Randy Shaw, vice-president of capital development and support services, whose advocacy and leadership were instrumental in the project’s success. Harrington also thanked hospital staff, medical professionals, and support teams for their dedication, as well as the Carleton Place District Memorial Hospital Foundation and donors, particularly the Cavanagh family, whose generosity ensured the project’s success.

The new facility, described as more than bricks and mortar, reflects a shared vision for modern healthcare that meets current and future needs. Harrington concluded with optimism and pride, celebrating the dedication of the community and healthcare professionals who made this achievement possible.

The facility reflects MRHA’s commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring access to care close to home.

The grand opening highlights the success of the “Healthy Futures. Together!” campaign, led by Beckwith Reeve Richard Kidd alongside Lori Cavanagh, which raised $5 million through the efforts of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners – and a lot of “fun” fundraising events. The Cavanagh family donated $1 million to the cause. 

Cindy Cavanagh, daughter of the late Thomas Cavanagh of Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited, spoke of her father’s legacy. He died Dec. 5, 2019, at the age of 86.

“He wasn’t just a good businessman,” she said. “He was a good neighbour and a good friend. We always knew he was generous, but we didn’t know the extent of his giving until after his passing. Many stories of sincere appreciation came to us about how he impacted lives.”

Her father’s “important investments” were people, and it was fitting to have his name on the ED building. “So many turned to Tom in their times of emergency, and if we had Dad here today, he’d applaud all of you. You got it done. For this much-needed upgrade, you put your heads, your hearts, your time, and your resources to work and made it happen.”

Lori Cavanagh said the fundraising campaign was a “true community effort.” She said they are deeply grateful and proud to be part of a community filled with generous people who stepped up for such an important cause. “Together we worked hard,” she said, “and together, we made it happen.”

She added that when driving by the new facility, “and hopefully not having to visit, you should give yourselves a pat on the back because you were part of making it happen.”

While the new Emergency Department provides a state-of-the-art facility, the core of its success remains the dedicated staff who have consistently delivered exceptional care.

“The existing Emergency Department served our community with excellence for many years, thanks to the incredible efforts of our staff,” added Harrington. “This new facility enhances the environment for care delivery, but it’s our staff—our nurses, physicians, and support teams—who remain the heart of the exceptional care we provide to our patients.”

Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP John Jordan expressed pride in seeing the completed facility, which he last visited during its drywall stage. On behalf of Premier Doug Ford and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones, he extended congratulations to everyone involved, emphasizing the collaboration of all levels of government, volunteers, and the community. He thanked leaders like Lori Cavanagh, Richard Kidd, and the Cavanagh family for their significant contributions, noting that the department’s name appropriately honours the Cavanagh family’s legacy.

“Provincial spending has gone from $65 billion to $80 billion in healthcare, so money is flowing into it. We have to spend it correctly, and providing state-of-the-art facilities like this is one of the things that really helps with our recruitment, our retention, and certainly an efficient level of service,” he said.
Jordan pointed out ongoing investments across Ontario, including primary care expansions, family health teams, and long-term care homes.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by healthcare staff, particularly during COVID-19, Jordan stressed the need for continued investments in human resources. He highlighted new medical schools and programs designed to encourage youth to enter healthcare, underscoring that staffing is as critical as building new facilities.

Tony Randell, mayor of Carleton Place and warden of Lanark County, expressed his gratitude for the support of local leaders and the province in making the new emergency department a reality. He highlighted the importance of this modernized space for the community, where frontline staff can work in a welcoming, private environment, and citizens will receive quality care. He praised the collective efforts of the community, local businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed to the project, emphasizing that its success was built on a shared commitment to help one another.

“It’s amazing what a community can accomplish when it comes together,” Randell said.
The mayor acknowledged the ongoing support of municipal governments and their contributions to the hospital’s success, stressing the value of wise investments in the community’s health. He ended with a message of thanks and hope that the new facility would serve the community well for years to come.

The grand opening ceremony included speeches from local leaders, donors, and healthcare professionals, followed by public tours of the facility. Guests had the opportunity to explore the new department’s innovative features and celebrate this significant investment in the future of regional healthcare.

The Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department represents a cornerstone for advancing healthcare delivery in the region. Its completion underscores MRHA’s mission to serve the community with compassion, innovation, and excellence.