New Equipment Supports Better Care

New Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) machines (above) have arrived at both sites! Funded by the South Muskoka and Huntsville Hospital Foundation, these state-of-the-art machines support improved access to essential respiratory diagnostics, providing patients with accurate and timely testing. They are felt to be more patient friendly, less claustrophobic, and in line with the latest Infection Prevention and Control standards.

In addition, updated cardiac monitoring and telemetry packs (above) are rolling out to both sites in the Emergency Departments, ICUs and in specific inpatient areas. These state-of-the-art patient monitoring systems speed up detection and treatment of cardiac events, enhance patient safety through early warning systems, and yield real-time data transmission that integrates with health records.

After a successful soft launch over the summer, we are thrilled to announce the official start of our Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) nurse program at MAHC and our GEM Nurse Lauren Talon.

Lauren brings a strong background of care coordination for patients of all ages, with a focus on older adults. She is an advocate for patient-centred care and works hard to build relationships with her partners. Working closely with the North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatrics Services, Lauren has been instrumental in bringing the GEM program at MAHC to life.

With a goal of improving outcomes, preventing adverse events and supporting independence, GEM is a program that provides specialized care to frail and at-risk older adults aged 75-plus who present in the Emergency Department.

With their knowledge of aging, understanding of common geriatric syndromes and atypical presentation patterns, as well as intervention and prevention strategies that help older adults maintain independence and wellbeing, a GEM nurse focuses on clinical consultation along with education of patients/families and department staff.

On August 21, the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation welcomed an incredible group of guests to their Sapphire Soirée, celebrating the Foundation’s 45 anniversary. It was an unforgettable evening, filled with compassion, generosity, and the same community spirit that inspired our Foundation from the very beginning. Over $68,000 was raised to help advance healthcare in our community! Thank you to all the generous sponsors and to everyone who joined. Cheers to 45 years! 

Caring for the human spirit is the goal of the Spiritual Care team.

The Spiritual Care volunteers (there are three volunteers at each site) and Vanessa Slack, MAHC's Spiritual Care Coordinator, are trained to listen empathically and provide presence in times of grief and loneliness, when coping with a new diagnosis or lifestyle change as a result of a medical event, when faced with end of life challenges and decisions, and when needing companionship and support.

Your Spiritual Care team are able to offer spiritual, religious and non-religious support. They listen and sensitively pick up cues from patients and their families in order to provide appropriate support. Sometimes appropriate support takes the shape of a conversation, sometimes a prayer, sometimes it means no words at all — simply offering the gift of presence. 

Spiritual Care is honoured to be part of the "circle of care", helping patients and their families cope with illness, trauma, and loss; integrating mind, body, and spirit. 

And we're honoured to recognize them during Spiritual & Religious Care Awareness Week (October 19-25, 2025).

MAHC is proud to welcome nine third-year medical students from NOSM University. This bunch will be completing their Community Clerkship with preceptors from our medical staff until the end of March 2026. Clerkships give students experience in all parts of the hospital setting and/or family physician practice in the community, as well as specialty clinics. They rotate through different medical specialties and treat patients under the supervision of physicians at both sites.

The Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary held its second Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, September 13 at the Huntsville Legion, selling 207 tickets and raising $5,700 after expenses.

Thanks are expressed to everyone on the committee who donated items for the silent auction, to Auxiliary volunteers and other volunteers who contributed hours of preparation work and event-day assistance, and to organizer Nancy Harris.

A special thank you to Blue Moon Bakery, Bullocks’ Your Independent Grocer, FreshCo, Little Caesars, Metro, and Windmill Bakery for their donation of food to keep costs down.

Get Involved as an Auxiliary Volunteer!

Is there a difference between the impact a rural hospital has on its communities and that of hospitals in larger urban centers? Without doubt the answer is yes. A vibrant hospital like South Muskoka Memorial attracts primary care providers to the area. It has a positive impact on the local economy and quality of life here. It attracts young families and retiring seniors alike, all of whom energize the community.

When Tyler Stevens moved to Bracebridge about three years ago, he didn't know the Your Independent Grocer in town would come up for sale two weeks after he arrived. He also didn't know his wife would be expecting their first baby two years and a bit later. Tyler bought the grocery store and embraced everything else that is new in his life. And he's done that with confidence, in part thanks to the close proximity of a great community hospital. He sees the hospital as the hub of care and stability in Bracebridge. Tyler explains why he supports the hospital that supports his family and his business in his short video.

Learn why we believe at https://www.healthmuskoka.ca/believe/.

Remembering #muskokaborn Little Ones Who Left Us Too Soon

The Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary is 70 years young in 2025. During their General Meeting in September Auxilians held a small celebration of 70 years of service.

Did you know the first meeting was chaired by Mrs. Christine Lough on November 16, 1955? Over the past seven decades, the Auxiliary has fundraised $2.3 million for the hospital through golf tournaments, house tours, fashion shows, calendar sales, Cookie Delight, craft sales, and bridge card parties dating back to 1956, Tag Days which started in 1958, and Branches Gift Shop, which opened in 1959.

Today, volunteers continue to help in many areas including Day Surgery, Gift Shop, Lobby Greeter/Information Desk, office services, Patient Support Program, and portering.

Canadian Patient Safety Week is an annual campaign that brings people together around a shared goal: making healthcare safer for everyone.

This year's theme is All Voices for Safer Care, an invitation to listen more deeply, ask important questions, and take meaningful action — together. Safer care doesn’t happen by chance. It requires collective responsibility, courageous conversations, and systems that make space for every voice.

Every voice contributes to safe, high-quality care.

Join our Patient & Family Advisory Council: www.mahc.ca/PFAC