Accumulated news pieces concerning a variety of topics for those living in or visiting Muskoka.

MAHC seeking patient experience partners

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is seeking applications from community members who have been a patient or a family member of a patient at a hospital and want to partner with MAHC to improve the care experience and make a difference in local health care.

Since 2017, MAHC has had a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) that provides the organization with advice and recommendations on matters where the patient perspective is vital to advancing person-centred care.

Ideally, those applying have been a patient at MAHC or a family member of a patient at MAHC or another hospital in the last three years. Patient Experience Partners should be passionate about enriching the health care experience for patients and families and share ideas and information about experiences at MAHC in ways that others can learn from them to help advance programs, services and hospital priorities.

Patient Experience Partners can participate in ways that best match their interests, experience and availability, such as participating in key standing committees or focus groups, helping to develop patient- and family-oriented education material, and surveying for feedback.

For full details on requirements and the ideal qualities of a Patient Experience Partner, visit the MAHC website for the application form at www.mahc.ca/PEPapplication.

$50K approved for Kent Park art project

Huntsville’s Kent Park at the corner of Main Street and Brunel Road will have a lot of eye candy hanging about in the near future.

The Town’s general committee recently approved a staff recommendation to enter into an agreement with artist Bryan Faubert for a $50,000 art project for the park.

A Six Mile Lake cottager, Faubert has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary and specializes in metal sculptures. The agreement includes design, fabrication, and installation of permanent artwork at the park, and includes the artist fee, materials, drawings, installation, travel, and insurance.

According to a staff report presented at the October 30 meeting, $35,000 of the cost will be from the public Art Acquisition Fund with the remaining $15,000 being added from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund.

It was noted by Councillor Helena Renwick that 20 per cent of the funding is coming from art sales at Partners Hall and not from tax dollars.

Physician Recruitment bears fruit in Huntsville

In continued efforts to attract physicians and reward them for bringing their skills to Huntsivlle, the Town’s general committee approved a new $70,000 incentive to be added to the physician recruitment program.

This new $70,000 is set to compensate physicians for taking patients off the Town’s waiting list in addition to taking over an existing practice. The staff report presented at the meeting indicates that this incentive applies if physicians “take more than 200 Huntsville patients off the Algonquin Family Healthcare Team (AFHT) waitlist.”

This is on top of the initial program offerings of $60,000 to doctors taking over an existing practice, and $80,000 to those beginning a new practice.

Committee heard that the program has had success with two new physicians signing agreements to reside in the community – one taking over an existing practice, one opening a new one. While there is another physician set to open a new practice soon, and three more signing on with the Town in 2025.

Those need a family doctor can visit https://algonquinfht.ca/need-a-doctor/ for more information.

OSPCA Draws for Paws Jackpot at $100K

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Fall Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery jackpot is now over $100,000, with less than one week left until the Grand Prize draw.

The Grand Prize draw takes place on Nov. 7 and one lucky winner will take home a life-changing amount of money. The jackpot currently sits at $101,000, but the more tickets sold, the higher that number will grow. Tickets are $10 for 10 tickets, $20 for 40 tickets, $40 for 200 tickets or $75 for 500 tickets.

The Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of animals in need. By purchasing a ticket, you’re not only entering for a chance to win, but you’re also helping animals across the province.

“It takes considerable resources to make second chances possible for animals in need,” says Jennifer Bluhm, Vice President of Community Outreach Services, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “The funds raised from the Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery will allow us to expand our support to communities across the province to help more animals in need.”

Don’t miss out on your chance to win big while helping animals. Tickets can be purchased online at ontariospcalottery.ca 

Grab a Novemburger to support the United Way

United Way of Simcoe Muskoka is excited to announce Novemburger – a month-long fundraiser that combines the joy of great food with the power of giving back. Throughout November, eight local restaurants will participate in this exciting initiative, each showcasing a unique burger creation.

Each burger purchased during the campaign contributes directly to the community, with $2 from every burger sold going to the local United Way. Funds raised will help assist those experiencing food insecurity through the United Way’s Urgent Needs Fund and their three-year Community Collaborative Projects.

Locations that are participating in Novemburger include the Huntsville Brewhouse, the Bracebridge Barrelhouse, South Muskoka Curling and Golf in Bracebridge, Frosty Pint Pub in Gravenhurst, Poppi’s Italian Eatery in Borden, Perfect Szn Eatery & Pub in Bradford and Barrie, and The Lockeroom Sports Bar & Grill in Barrie.

To learn more visit – https://uwsimcoemuskoka.ca/novemburger/

Hunters Bay Radio donates $5K to Mind-Aid Muskoka

From our friends at muskokaradio.com: Hunters Bay Radio recently donated $5,000 to Mind-Aid Muskoka, a not-for-profit organization that helps connect young people with the mental health supports they need.

Recently, the organization launched their mobile Health Hub and hired a nurse practitioner. The health hub will travel throughout Muskoka visiting schools, parks and other places young people gather.

Through the Hub, young people will be able to gain access to mental health & addictions care, primary health care, social & cultural supports, food security programs, housing, employment & education supports, financial supports, and so much more.

For more information about their services, visit: MindAidMuskoka.com