Your Impact: Caring for our Community Together
At RVH, healthcare doesn’t end when a patient leaves the hospital. Thanks to donors, volunteers, and community partners, care ripples outward—changing lives, strengthening families, and building a healthier Simcoe Muskoka.
You can see that ripple effect in the people and partnerships shaping care beyond the walls of RVH:
- After surviving septic shock, Pauline Niles became a volunteer in Innisfil—paying forward the care that saved her life.
- Stephanie Gourlie Murray is rallying support in Barrie, helping more people access care close to home.
- A new partnership with local hospices means patients and families facing life’s hardest transitions get more time for what matters—comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.
Every day, we’re inspired by people who make world-class care close to home possible—whether by volunteering, donating, partnering, or simply showing up for their neighbours.
Because of you, RVH is more than a hospital—it’s a community of care.
Stay healthy. Stay Wild.
Your Support Saves Lives
When the problem is life-threatening, every second counts—just ask Pauline Niles.
Pauline was rushed to RVH’s ICU by ambulance after going into septic shock. “I just remember the paramedics saying, ‘Stay with me. Just breathe,’” she recalls.
At RVH, she received 24/7 care from specialized teams trained to handle the most critical situations. And because of your support, they had access to the equipment they needed—like oxygen machines that reduce the need for invasive and uncomfortable ventilators, and tools that help non-verbal patients communicate their care needs.
For patients like Pauline, this technology is lifesaving.
“Every single day, every single worker at RVH is making a difference in someone’s life,” she says. Thanks to generous donors like you, that care continues.
A standout in our community, Stephanie Gourlie Murray is RVH Foundation’s newest Barrie Cabinet Chair. She’s leading a dedicated group of volunteers working to bring RVH’s bold vision for the future to life.
We caught up with her ahead of National Volunteer Week to hear her thoughts on the power of volunteers and their impact on care close to home.
Q: What inspired you to get involved with the Keep Life Wild Campaign?
A: The commitment of the volunteers and the Foundation staff had me intrigued and I needed to know more! It’s a no-nonsense group of professionals on every level that are passionate about RVH’s vision to support our communities. It’s incredible to partner with others who are motivated—it’s a recipe for great things to come!
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this new role?
A: Accomplishing the goals—even if it’s just taking small steps. I’m a get it done type of person so every step forward means positive things for our communities and the people RVH cares for.
Q: What excites you most about the future of care in our region—and the role volunteers can play in it?
A: It’s knowing that we’re all working toward the same goal—making sure people in our region get the care they need, close to home. I feel lucky to play even a small part in that. Volunteers are right at the heart of it. They’re out there talking to people, supporting fundraisers, bringing others into the fold. It’s meaningful work that also feels good to do.
Q: If you had to describe your leadership style using a movie or TV character, who would it be and why?
A: I’m all about empowerment so I have been likened to Steve Jobs in a few instances. I’m not sure who his female TV counterpart would be but I am a firm believer in pushing through and pushing yourself. Trying to set the bar high because you are tougher than you think and more capable than you know. I’m your greatest cheerleader!
Q: What’s your go-to comfort food after a long day?
A: That’s funny question! It seems to be salt-related—that I know. Maybe movie theatre popcorn or cheese charcuterie with pretzels and pickles. Get me started and I’m hooked!
A New Era in Hospice Care.
For patients and families in hospice care, repeating their medical history shouldn’t be part of the journey.
Thanks to a new partnership between RVH and four local hospices, care is now better connected—so patients and their care teams have access to the right information at the right time.
By integrating hospice care into RVH’s electronic medical record system, patients and families will experience smoother transitions, fewer repeated questions, and more coordinated care. It’s another way RVH is making life better, with care that truly puts people first.
Happening Now
From Smile Cookies to epic adventures, community fundraisers bring people together for world-class care close to home. Big or small, every act of generosity helps build a healthier Simcoe Muskoka—and proves just how much we can do when we come together.
- Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week: April 28 to May 4
- Canadian Adventure Lottery: until June 7
- McHappy Day: May 8
Want to host your own fundraiser? Email us at events@rvh.on.ca.