Quinte Health

11/28/2025

“My son has a disability that causes speech delay, and a crazy high pain threshold. After my son did a daredevil type of stunt with bruising and swelling, I took him to the Trenton Memorial Hospital emergency department to ensure he didn’t have a broken foot or ankle.

Lucky for everyone, I was actually recording him as he did the stunt and was able to show this to the care staff. I was expecting to have to advocate hard for an x-ray because he was still using his foot fine, but Dr. Hayman made this a ‘super easy on both of us’ visit. I explained his disability and pain tolerance and showed him the video of what happened, and he was more than willing to x-ray it!

Luckily, there were no broken bones, but I appreciated the fact that he was caring enough to at least give it an x-ray when my son wasn’t complaining about it (partially because he can’t but also because he was using it still). Thank you so much Dr. Hayman for restoring my faith in the healthcare system!”

-a thankful mama

11/27/2025

On National Physician Assistants’ Day, we celebrate the Physician Assistants at Quinte Health who work alongside physicians and care teams to deliver high-quality, accessible healthcare. Your expertise and dedication elevate patient care and experience. We are so grateful for your vital contributions to our team and community!

11/25/2025

When it’s not an emergency, choosing the right care option can help you get the support you need faster and reduce wait times for everyone.

Know where to go and stay healthy this season:
📞 Health811 — Have a question about your symptoms? Connect with a registered nurse for guidance.
💊 Pharmacy Services — Pharmacists can now assess and treat many common ailments.
🧼 Practice healthy habits — Wash your hands often and stay home when you’re sick to help stop the spread.

Together, we can keep our hospitals running smoothly and our community healthy.

👉 Learn more about non-emergency care options: https://quintehealth.ca/care-service/emergency-department/know-where-to-go/

11/25/2025

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation recently celebrated a generous $600,000 grant from the RBC Foundation!

“Back the Build has always been about supporting the creation of a new hospital that reflects who we are in Prince Edward County—caring, forward-thinking, and deeply connected to our environment,” said Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health. “Thanks to the RBC Foundation Community Spaces Grant’s extraordinary support, sustainability will be at the heart of our new hospital—one that will care for both people and the planet for generations to come.”

11/24/2025

“My child just spent a week on Quinte 7 with a complicated infection. The care from, what ended up being a very large number of people here at BGH but also with very consistent consults from Kingston and CHEO, made an extremely stressful time much easier to bear. Being released with clear plans in place to continue improving and hopefully avoid a return are also much appreciated.

These are most, but definitely not all, of the people we interacted with:

-Nurses: Kaitlyn, Carol, Priscilla, Stephanie, Sabrina, Danielle, Andrea, Sara, Brittney Julia;
-Nurse Practitioner Lynn;
-Medical Students: Sara, Bonnie, Olivia;
-Doctors: Dr. Tucker, Dr. Waterston, Dr. Navabi, Dr. Kwan; Dr. Sandhu;
-MRI staff;
-Respiratory Therapist Sean

Food Services, whose meals were appreciated (especially the days when he got double dessert – who doesn’t like that!) and the Thanksgiving supper was really appreciated when he was especially sad to be missing out on our usual camping trip.

Cleaning staff and the volunteer who helped us find games.

Anyway, it was clear that the paediatric team that we got to work with really does make the dream work.”

-A grateful mother

11/21/2025

At Quinte Health, volunteers have always been an integral part of our hospital family. They brighten days, calm worries, and bring moments of connection to patients, families, and staff. Now, a new initiative called ElderConnect is building on that strong foundation by giving volunteers additional tools to support older adults during their hospital stay.

The first ElderConnect education session was recently held with volunteers from the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Inpatient Unit. This incredible group brings a wide range of life experience, empathy, and skill to their volunteer roles—qualities that make a real difference in the lives of the patients they serve.

Developed under the leadership of Jay Moxness, Volunteer Coordinator and recreation therapist, ElderConnect enhances existing training with practical education around delirium prevention, physical and cognitive engagement, and creating comfort for seniors in hospital. The training program is designed to give volunteers the tools to complement the work of clinical and support staff by focusing on the non-clinical, social, and emotional aspects of care that are important to recovery and well-being.

ElderConnect builds on the success of Sills 3 Rehab, where volunteers are fully integrated into the care team. There, volunteers help patients get to and from therapy sessions, offer friendly visiting and hydration between activities, and support meal groups that improve nutrition and social connection. These efforts do more than brighten a patient’s day—they help improve outcomes, support therapy goals, and maintain independence.

“It’s been very rewarding and meaningful to help rebuild the volunteer program on the inpatient unit of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital,” shared Darlene Griffith, Volunteer Director of Hospital Services, PECMH Auxiliary. “Our volunteers cheerfully provide much-needed interaction with patients that includes friendly conversation, a variety of activities and reading material, as well as help with the meal service set-up. Patients feel supported by these friendly visitors, and staff are appreciative of the extra helping hands.”

Read more: https://quintehealth.ca/elderconnect-enhancing-the-hospital-experience-for-older-adults/

11/19/2025

If you’ve ever visited the Emergency Department (ED) at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH), chances are you’ve met Cheryl Minaker, Registered Nurse, often recognized by her traditional nursing cap and her warm, reassuring smile.

A proud member of the PECMH team for 43 years, Cheryl has witnessed incredible change. From the days when the ED was little more than a hallway, to the redevelopment of the current department in 2009, Cheryl has seen it all and embraced change every step of the way.

Over the years, Cheryl has played an active role in shaping how the hospital has grown. She was part of the PECMH emergency department redevelopment and has served on the steering committee guiding the design of the new PECMH for more than a decade.

“I’ve been on the committee right from the beginning — even from the stage of figuring out where we were going to build it,” she explained. “When we were designing, we asked for things like geothermal energy and mass timber construction. And we were told yes! It was so exciting.”

Her enthusiasm shined brightly when she talked about the new hospital. Every detail—from the department’s layout to the addition of natural light—has been considered with patients, families and staff in mind.

“We said, ‘We want windows! We want light!’ Natural light makes such a big difference for everyone.”

Read more: https://quintehealth.ca/news-story/together-we-build-pecmh-team-spotlight-featuring-cheryl-minaker/

If you’ve ever visited the Emergency Department (ED) at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH), chances are you’ve met Cheryl Minaker, Registered Nurse, often recognized by her traditional…

11/18/2025

A huge thank you to Jennifer from Live, Love & Laugh Flowers for once again transforming the waiting area of the Dr. Douglas A. MacIntosh Cancer Clinic at Belleville General Hospital into a bright, festive space for the holiday season. Jennifer has put so much care into making the space warm and inviting for our patients and families.

This tradition means so much to our team and to everyone who walks through our doors. Thank you, Jennifer, for your kindness, creativity and continued support. 🎄💛

11/18/2025

Vaccination Opportunities this week at the Harbourview Clinic:
Flu, COVID and RSV vaccination clinic by appointment only on
Wed., Nov. 19, afternoon 1pm - 4pm. Call 613-476-0400 ext. 0

Flu, COVID and RSV vaccination clinic by appointment only on
Tues., Nov. 18, after hours 5-8pm. Call 613-476-0400 ext. 0

Flu, COVID and RSV vaccination clinic by appointment only on Thurs., Nov. 20, after hours 5-8pm. Call 613-476-0400 ext. 0

Quinte Health
Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team
Prince Edward County

www.princeedwardfht.com

11/17/2025

“While at our cottage this summer, I went into cardiac arrest. I have never had heart or health issues before, so this was very unexpected. I am so grateful to all North Hastings Hospital staff and paramedics for saving my life. Some days I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude, I have a little cry, with a smile on my face. I thank all staff for being so kind to my family, especially nurse Cathy. My sister and husband said that Cathy was so compassionate, kind, and was their ray of sunshine during that dark day.

I received the best of care and was stabilized and flown to Kingston General Hospital. With the extensive CPR I was sedated and intubated and doctors had to explain to my family that I may not be exactly how I was before. After only three days, I was extubated and was talking, walking and there were no lasting deficits.

I thank all staff for the exceptional CPR, medical knowledge and expertise, and for them being able to stabilize me to be flown out so swiftly. Cardiologists are still confused as to why my heart went into arrest. I broke 12 ribs and my sternum from the CPR, but I am almost healed and recovering really well. I got to see my son head off to his first day of university and my daughter to Grade 10. Thank you to all paramedics, nurses and doctors, I owe my life to you all!!!”

-A grateful patient

11/14/2025

Help us celebrate the incredible Nurse Practitioners at Quinte Health whose advanced skills, collaborative spirit and compassionate approach bring expert care across our community. Your dedication to health promotion, disease prevention and strong patient support strengthens wellbeing for all of those we serve. Thank you for all that you do!

11/14/2025

✨ PECMH Build Update ✨

Exciting progress continues at the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital!

Even with a bit of rain (and snow), work on the mass timber structure is moving along well! The construction crew are also busy adding the roof covering and tarps to try and make sure everything stays dry and protected. ☔

The concrete walls (the molds that shape the building’s structure) is now finished, and the underground piping for the geothermal system, which will help heat and cool the hospital efficiently, is also complete—another big step forward! 🌱

Every bit of progress brings us closer to welcoming patients and families into our new PECMH — a hospital built with care, teamwork and community spirit. ❤️

Learn more about the PECMH build: https://quintehealth.ca/building-a-new-pecmh/