Peter Fraser has assumed the position of Board chair, succeeding Brenda DeKoker who served as Chair of the Board of Governors for the past two years. Mr. Fraser became actively involved with Ross Memorial in 1996 during the Make Us Better campaign, leading the very successful Bobcaygeon portion of the community campaign. Later that year, Mr. Fraser became Vice President of the Ross Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board and in 1997, became President of the Auxiliary Board. At that time, Mr. Fraser also served as the Auxiliary appointee on Ross Memorial Hospital's Board of Governors for two years. In 1999, he was elected to the Hospital Board of Governors and the following year, was elected Vice Chair of the Board. This year, Mr. Fraser begins his chairmanship with the Hospital Board of Governors for a two-year term. Mr. Fraser's wife, Dawn, is actively involved with the Hospital Auxiliary.

"I am very pleased to be part of the Ross team and I am looking forward to an exciting two years, full of growth and opportunity at the Hospital," says Peter Fraser, of his recent election as Chair of the Ross Memorial Hospital Board of Governors.

"There is so much to look forward to and I think the one project on everyone's mind is the completion of our major expansion over the next couple of years," continues Mr. Fraser. "Other positive initiatives that are underway include the development and implementation of program and organizational restructuring, which I believe are positive initiatives for everyone, including staff, physicians and the patients."

"I know that as a Board, we will continue to work in partnership with the Ministry of Health in an attempt to ensure that there is sufficient operating funding available to adequately meet the growing demands of our patient population. Patient care has always been the number one priority at the Ross and we intend for that to continue," says Mr. Fraser. "As well, we will be establishing a strategic planning task force that will be charting a course for the Ross for 2004 and beyond, following the completion of the expansion project. It is important to note that our current expansion is taking place due to the hard work and forward thinking of the Hospital Administration and previous Boards. Now, our role is to look beyond and plan for post expansion and the years to follow."

Now Past Chair of the Hospital Board of Governors, Brenda DeKoker, says of her experience, "I have been on the Board for nine years now and will be for one more year. In this time, I have noticed that the Board is more demanding than ever before and is a well-informed governing body. As Chair, it has been an interesting and challenging time as we worked together as a team with the Hospital, the community and the region, to prepare and plan for the expansion that is already underway. I have enjoyed being part of the Hospital Board of Governors. For the time I have spent on the Board, I hope that we have been able to help meet and improve the health care needs of our families in our communities. I would like to thank so many people, my colleagues, the administration for always keeping me informed, the staff, the physicians, all of our community and regional partners and stakeholders. Ross Memorial is very important to me and my family and will continue to be a priority for me."

Mrs. DeKoker served as a trustee on the Hospital's Board of Governors for three years, prior to becoming the Treasurer. Two years later, she served as Vice Chair and most recently, as Chair. She will remain a member of the Board for one more year.

At the Annual General Meeting in June of this year, Valmay Barkey, Al Goard and Marg Fevang were re-elected to the Ross Memorial Hospital Board of Governors for a further term of two years.

Two new trustees - James Johnstone (Oakwood) and Ed Robertson (Bobcaygeon) - were also elected to the Board.

As well, Margot Fawcett (new Auxiliary President) is a member of the Board.

Appreciation and thanks have been extended to parting Board members, Gord Evans, Bill Morris, Rick Denyer and Helen Boston for their outstanding commitment and dedication to the Ross.