The auditorium at the North Bay Regional Health Centre has a new name. In honour of local philanthropists and long-time hospital supporters, it will now be named the Claude, Maria & Michel Fortier Auditorium.
This special naming honours and recognizes the $500,000 donation the Fortier family made, supporting state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging services for our local community.
“For more than two decades we have called North Bay our home,” said Fortier. “When we lived farther north, in Hearst, we really understood what it was like to travel for our healthcare. Living in North Bay in our semi-retirement years, Maria and I knew we could help ensure ourselves, our family, friends, loved ones, and our entire community could have access to care, close to home.”
Paul Heinrich, NBRHC President and CEO says, they are honoured to celebrate the generosity of the Fortier family in this meaningful and inspiring way. “Healthcare is a partnership with our government and our community,” said Heinrich. “This gift helped bring an essential service to our community – our first MRI.”
Each year, NBRHC provides thousands of patients with MRI scans, including patient referrals from as far as Moose Factory.
Dr. Jeff Hodge, Chief, Radiology explains how community generosity and state-of-the-art equipment influenced his decision to live and work in North Bay, “I came to work in North Bay because the Health Centre’s Diagnostic Imaging Unit was so well equipped – and that is directly the result of community generosity – especially that of the Fortier Family.”
President and CEO of the NBRHC Foundation, Tammy Morison says there are names of people, organizations and businesses throughout the Health Centre, being recognized in different ways. “Each time we see this special signage throughout the hospital, we remember of the incredible generosity of our community,” says Morison. “Our donors support the hospital in so many impactful and inspiring ways including monthly giving, gifts in Wills, annual donations, event participation and investments like the Fortier’s. Everyone gives in a way that is meaningful to them and we are grateful for every donation we receive.”