The Arnprior Regional Health Foundation Board of Directors
The Arnprior Regional Health Foundation is governed by a group of dedicated volunteers from the local community. These volunteers provide counsel to the Foundation staff and assist with fundraising and community outreach. The Board Directors are leaders in our local legal, management, automotive, finance, housing, insurance, medical and healthcare fields.
Members serve a term of three years with the opportunity of three consecutive terms of service - totalling nine years, if approved.
For more information about becoming a Board Director or serving in other capacities, please contact the Foundation Office.
Terry Wright, Board Chair
In 2019, I had the privilege to work directly with several members and staff of the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation on a company fund raising event. I was very impressed with their effort, dedication and focus to make this fundraiser a success This coupled with the recognition of just how important the Arnprior Regional Health is to our community are the key factors behind why I wanted to spend my volunteer time working as a director on the Foundation board. Originally, from a farm in the Almonte area my wife Debra and I have lived for the past 15 years just outside of White Lake.
For the past 10 years, I have worked as the Manager for P38 Energy in Arnprior. Prior to that, I worked at various Senior Management positions in the petroleum distribution industry.
I look forward to my 3 year term and welcome any suggestions that will help continue to make the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation a success in the future.
Jayne (Dowd) Coady, Vice-Chair
Born and Raised in the Hamlet of Antrim, then moving down the road to Kinburn, my family have enjoyed living in the former "Kinburn Dr.'s Office" and home of my Grand Parents Dr. W. Ritchie & Dorothy Dowd. Support for the current and extended care areas of Arnprior & District Memorial Hospital has always played a large part within our family lineage.
It has been a pleasure to Volunteer for 36 years in the local community which has been a very compatible way of life. Continuing to stay engaged in sports and having the Arnprior & District Memorial Hospital so close for our family and community needs has been a blessing. To join the current Board of Directors and work closely with those who provide amazing Medical Support for Arnprior and the surrounding areas is a very exceptional opportunity. I am proud to be part of this current team of Volunteers and trust we will succeed with the future work load to keep the excellent care flowing through the Ottawa Valley and beyond.
Jacqueline Asselin, Past-Chair
Jacqueline joined the Board of the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation in April 2018 and accepted the role of Chair on May 08, 2019. She had her own law firm in Ottawa for 30 years focusing on the areas of family law, children's law, residential real estate and wills and estates. She taught in the legal programs at Algonquin College from 2001 until June 2017. She is the author of Legal Accounting a textbook written for paralegals and law clerks. Jacqueline is President of Tallyho Inc. a corporation whose primary goal is assisting students to succeed. To date the foundation has funded over $130,000 in student scholarships and bursaries as well as donating to other philanthropic causes. She is also a member of the provincial Governance Committee of Retired Teachers of Ontario.
Barb Button, Treasurer
Pakenham has been my home and community for more than 20 years. I believe strongly in the importance of accessing medical care in the community where you live and I’m grateful that Arnprior Regional Health makes that possible by delivering excellent local care to our community.
I was first introduced to fundraising at the beginning of my payroll management career at the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group where I became the deputy chair of the organization’s United Way Committee. As my career led me to new positions, I continued to play a fundraising leadership role in each organization. My philanthropic contribution over the years was formally recognized through an award of excellence from United Way.
I became a member of the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation Board because I believe it is crucial to support our hospital and long-term care home so that they are there when we need them.
Don Belton
Arnprior is the community where I have resided since birth, and a place I proudly call my home. When I was 14 years old, I had major surgery at the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital where I received excellent care over an 8 week recovery period. My career started at Boeing Canada as a Detailed Inspector and then Lab Technician for 10 years. Following my time at Boeing, I was hired as a Fund Manager with I.A.M L.M. Pension Fund Canada where I worked for 35 years. I retired on December 31, 2016, and this is where my story for becoming a Board Director begins. I wanted to give back and make sure there continues to be a place now and in the future for excellent health care locally. Since my retirement I have to be able to contribute to my community in a meaningful way by volunteering my time to the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation. It is important for me to ensure excellent care continue in our community, both in our hospital and in our long term care home, the Grove.
Christine Bidgood-Henderson
It is in my heart to serve and help people - Specifically, the people of the Ottawa Valley. Having lived and worked within Ottawa, the Ottawa Valley, and Renfrew County most of my life, it is truly home. My heritage, family, friends, and education have all been centered in this beautiful area.
Having returned to family roots in Arnprior seven years ago and truly learning the value that Arnprior Regional Health Foundation has brought to this community, it is a privilege and an honour to become part of that value. Family members have passed on during this time, but being close and helping care for them showed me the dedication of the ARH Team and their desire to care for our loved ones as best they could during very challenging conditions.
The cornerstones of life have developed over the years, and I stand strong on the “F” foundation of Faith, Family, Food and, most recently Finances. This is how I hope to bring value to the table through helping to serve and support this amazing community.
Fay Kolpin
My husband Hans and I moved to the Ottawa Valley 40 years ago to a log house we rebuilt just outside of White Lake where we raised our three daughters and now enjoy spending time with family and friends.
For nearly 30 years, I worked as a Human Resource professional mainly in the high-tech industry as well as the charitable sector. I played an integral role at the Ottawa Mission and was very grateful for being able to contribute to a service that provides men who are in need of a safe bed to sleep and a nutritious meal. My HR experience and skills have more recently supported the development of the Foundation staff and Board of Directors. I was motivated to become involved with the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation to help support our aging population and help provide a safe and dignified home setting for the community that embraced my myself and my family 40 years ago.
Additionally, I volunteer as the vice president of the Valley Heritage Radio Board of Directors and manage the human resources for the radio station on a volunteer basis.
Mark L’Abbe
Arnprior has been home for me for a vast majority of my life since being born in the Arnprior District Memorial Hospital. I am presently a professional firefighter with the Ottawa Fire Services suppression division. I reside in Rhoddy’s Bay with my wife and daughter.
Volunteering in our community has always been a big part of my life. I’ve had the good fortune to serve on a number of committees and fundraise for some major projects. Living in the community I am grateful to have an organization like the Arnprior Regional Health Foundation. It is important that people want to live and be associated with a community with a respected hospital and long-term care facility.
Looking after the residents of the area now and in the future is the responsible direction we should be headed.
Katherine Luckett
Katherine joined RBC in 1996 and currently holds the role of RBC Community Manager for the Upper Ottawa Valley. Since joining RBC 26 years ago, Katherine has advocated for giving back to the community and has volunteered for The Kanata North and Central BIA(s), Christie Lake Kids, and Junior Achievers. Katherine holds a BSS. in Economics from the University of Ottawa, B.Ed. University of Western Ontario, PFP, QAFP designation. As an active volunteer, Katherine looks forward to giving back to her local community and hospital.
Nas Mohamed
I was born in Libya and earned a scholarship to study electronic engineering in Canada. It was then I realized the great opportunities and decided to immigrate and make Canada my home.
I worked in the high-tech industry for thirty-two years as an Electronic Technician and Manager of product assembly, integration, and testing. I then turned my interest to the medical field and spent seven years in the cardiac surgery medical equipment industry as Operations Manager.
My wife and I currently reside on a farm in Kinburn.