The year 2024-25 marked a memorable milestone for the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH). Not only did we proudly celebrate our 40th anniversary, but we also began an important new chapter in our history with the adoption of our 2025-29 Strategic Plan. 

This plan — the result of collective effort — reflects a renewed vision, a clear mission, and deeply rooted values: compassion, collaboration, integrity, quality, and respect. It was built with and for our community, following a broad consultation process that brought together our staff, physicians, volunteers, community partners, and members of the public. Thanks to the progress made in recent years, we have laid a strong foundation for this bold and forward-looking plan. Together, we are reimagining healthcare for our region, with today’s challenges in mind and tomorrow’s aspirations at heart. 

The Board of Directors is proud to have supported this inclusive and ambitious undertaking, ensuring that every voice was heard and considered. Our discussions helped define clear directions, driven by a shared commitment to offering care that is more accessible, more human, and more innovative, aligned with the evolving needs of our population. 

This year was also dedicated to implementing our new governance structure. The introduction of revised committees and updated policies has modernized our practices and strengthened the efficiency of our operations. 

We are equally proud of the firm and respectful relationship between organizational leadership and medical leadership. This collaboration, grounded in mutual trust, active listening, and a shared vision, enhances our collective ability to meet the needs of both our organization and our community. 

As we begin this new chapter, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire HGH family — staff, physicians, volunteers, partners, and community members — for their unwavering dedication. Together, we are doing more than providing care: we are shaping the future of health, right here at home. 

With gratitude and confidence,

Guy Yelle
Chair of the Board of Directors

Learn more about all the members of the Board of Directors >

In 2024-25, we have continued our remarkable journey together. As our services continue to grow and evolve, our teams have remained focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional, bilingual and patient focused care rooted in compassion, innovation, and excellence. 

 Together, we had an impactful year with the addition of new programs and continued improvement in the quality and access to our services. We celebrated the opening of our new transitional care unit, expanded surgical capacity with a fourth operating room, and introduced new services to better meet the needs of our patients and community. These enhancements reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and our ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment. 

At HGH, progress and positive change is present and palpable. Whether through new initiatives, system improvements, or team development, we continually strive to enhance the patient experience and ensure that every person receives care that they deserve and expect respectful, timely, and person-centred. 

We also marked an important milestone with the launch of our 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, guided by a renewed vision: To reimagine health care for Canadians beyond our cities. This plan reflects our deep connection to the people we serve, and the shared ambition to create a more responsive and inclusive health system for our community — one that extends beyond hospital walls and into the heart of the community we care for. Our renewed mission grounds us in purpose: At HGH, we are family taking care of you as one of our own. 

None of this would be possible without the unwavering dedication of our employees, physicians, volunteers, and partners. I am particularly grateful to our clinical and medical teams for their adaptability, professionalism, and commitment to quality and safety. 

To everyone contributing to the HGH journey — thank you. Your commitment continues to shape a healthier, more connected and inclusive future for our patients and their families. 

With sincere appreciation,

Frédéric Beauchemin,
Chief Executive Officer

Learn more about the members of the Leadership Team >

The year 2024-25 was marked by the continued dedication, professionalism, and generosity of HGH’s physicians, who provided care rooted in compassion, innovation, and excellence to our patients and their families. With the launch of our new vision — Reimagining healthcare for Canadians beyond the cities — we have all renewed our sense of purpose and connection with the community we serve. 

In a time of transformation and renewed ambition for our organization, our medical community has fully mobilized. This year, we had the privilege of welcoming several medical learners, thanks to our strong partnership with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Their presence enriched our clinical environment and reaffirmed our role as a francophone teaching site in a rural setting. We will continue to move in this direction, confident that their presence inspires us, reminds us of the importance of passing on our knowledge and standards of excellence, and helps us attract new physicians to HGH. 

I would also like to highlight the remarkable commitment of our department chiefs, who have embraced the challenge of developing their leadership skills. The organization has provided them with practical tools to support this journey, and they have responded with enthusiasm and openness. This collective investment in medical leadership is strengthening our ability to work in synergy across teams, in a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. 

I want to extend my sincere thanks to all my colleagues for their unwavering commitment, openness to innovation, and vital contributions to our mission. 

Together, we are building a care environment where every patient is treated with dignity, skill, and compassion, while proudly upholding the professionalism of our physicians in both official languages.

Paul E. Beaulé, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS, CHE
Chief of Staff, HGH
Professor of Surgery, University of Ottawa

Learn more about our HGH’s medical team >

Looking back on the process

A Plan Shaped with You

The Board of Directors of the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) is proud to present the result of a broad collaborative process that led to the development of the 2025–29 Strategic Plan. This plan marks the beginning of an ambitious journey, grounded in compassion, innovation, and excellence — principles that have defined HGH since its inception. 

Throughout this process, we sought to build a plan that reflects who we are: accessible services, dedicated professionals, thoughtful in our approach, and above all, driven by the people who bring the hospital to life every day.

An Inclusive and Structured Approach

Three significant consultation methods helped anchor this plan to the actual needs and priorities of our community: 

• Internally, HGH’s core values were explored throughout the year in various meetings, consultations and exchanges with employees, physicians, managers, and members of administration. The topic was discussed in multiple contexts, allowing everyone to contribute in their way. These sincere and honest conversations revealed strong, shared principles that shape our organizational culture: listening, integrity, thoughtfulness, and transparency. 
• In the community, a public consultation was held as part of HGH’s 40th anniversary. Over a month, patients were warmly welcomed and invited to share their perspectives through a widely distributed survey. More than 400 participants expressed their priorities, including better access to primary care, medical specialties, mental health services, and pediatric care. 
• Through our community partnerships, the discussions highlighted our human-centred approach, our close relationships, and our commitment to action. Concrete ideas were shared to improve communication, adapt services for more complex patients, and build meaningful collaborations. 

A Unified Vision and Engaged Leadership 

The Board of Directors held two strategic retreats, in November 2023 and November 2024, to take a step back, reflect on key issues, and guide the direction of the plan. These moments helped connect the insights gathered on the ground with a long-term vision for the organization. 

We want to recognize the thoughtful and inspiring work of the leadership team, who guided every step of this journey with heart, professionalism, and dedication. Their leadership transformed ideas into an ambitious, coherent plan that stays true to the spirit of HGH. 

The official launch of the plan in March 2025 brought together employees, physicians, partners, and community members. It was a memorable and successful event that reaffirmed our collective commitment to a future that is even more human, accessible, and innovative.

You can rewatch the launch of our strategic plan on YouTube.

We believe in this team, in this plan, and in the future, we are building together.

 — Guy Yelle, Chair of the Board of Directors 

At HGH, we don’t just adapt to changes in the healthcare system — we help shape them. And together, with our employees, physicians, partners, and community, we will bring this plan to life and ensure its lasting success. 

Check out the 2025-29 strategic plan.

Celebrating a Milestone in Patient Care

Opening of the A2 Transitional Unit and the 4th Operating Room

Every step we take at HGH is shaped by the evolving needs of those we serve. The past year has marked a significant achievement for HGH: the successful opening of our new Transitional Care Unit (A2) and the much-anticipated 4th Operating Room. These two initiatives represent a significant leap forward in our ability to deliver care that is timely, personalized, and forward-looking. 

A2 Unit

The A2 Unit now offers a dedicated environment for patients preparing to return home or transition to new living settings. It supports better flow across the hospital, reduces pressure on acute care beds, and allows us to provide the right care at the right time in the right place. 

Operating Room

The 4th OR increases our surgical capacity and supports our efforts to reduce wait times while enhancing access to specialized care closer to home. It also strengthens our regional role and improves overall service delivery for patients and families. 

These accomplishments reflect months of careful preparation, work, adaptation, and collaboration. We thank all our teams—clinical, operational, administrative, and support—for their perseverance, flexibility, and dedication throughout the transition. Your commitment made this a reality. 

Together, we are reimagining healthcare for Canadians beyond our cities. 

Thank you to all employees and physicians for being part of this important transformation. 

Strengthening Cybersecurity at HGH

Migration to a Local Delivery Group

As part of our commitment to excellence and enhanced cybersecurity, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) transitioned its Microsoft 365 Tenant to a Local Delivery Group (LDG) in April 2024. 

This critical step strengthens our digital infrastructure and enhances the protection of our systems against evolving cyber threats. The LDG is a regional security operational centre that supports the implementation of standardized and robust cybersecurity practices, similar to those found in most hospitals in Eastern Ontario. 

Why This Matters

Cyberattacks have disrupted healthcare services in several regions, causing delays in surgeries and the cancellation of critical treatments. Investigations revealed common points of entry, including external devices, VPNs, and phishing attacks. The move to an LDG environment helps significantly reduce these vulnerabilities. 

HGH’s LDG is hosted at The Ottawa Hospital, providing a centralized and secure environment. Through this collaboration, HGH benefits from: 

• Enhanced security monitoring and threat detection 

• Closer alignment with regional healthcare partners 

• Greater efficiency through shared resources 

A Learning Opportunity

While the transition presented some challenges, it also offered valuable lessons that will strengthen our approach to future projects. We are grateful to our staff for their flexibility, patience, and continued focus on patient care throughout this period. The IT/IS team remains committed to supporting users and refining processes moving forward. 

Looking Ahead

Cybersecurity is an ongoing, shared responsibility. Continued training, vigilance when opening emails and attachments, and effective communication will be essential in maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity. We thank all employees and physicians for their continued engagement as we work together to build a safer, more resilient digital environment. 

You can review our previous financial reports and annual reports on the Annual Reports and Financial Statements page.

2024-25 FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT

Message from the Board President and Executive Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment and generosity over the past year. Thanks to your support, the HGH Foundation has proudly contributed nearly $1.2 million to our hospital for the second year in a row – a remarkable achievement that has a profound impact on the care provided at HGH.

Your kindness has made a tangible difference at our hospital this year.  Imagine the relief a patient feels when state-of-the-art equipment swiftly treats painful kidney stones right here in Hawkesbury, with no need to be transferred to Ottawa. Or consider the confidence and flexibility our surgical teams gain with the addition of a new C-ARM used specifically for urology and orthopedic procedures. HGH staff and physicians, too, have found solace in a newly installed rest cabin—an oasis equipped with heated massage, light therapy, and relaxation programs, providing a much-needed retreat during hectic days. And for the youngest members of our community, a personalized colouring kit brightens their visit to the Emergency Department, offering not just distraction but a sense of care and wonder. And these are just a few of our accomplishments in 2024-2025.

Every gesture of support strengthens our commitment to keeping exceptional care close to home. How inspiring is it to know that your generosity ensures that HGH’s patients receive the life-changing treatments they need without the burden of travel? Your contributions do more than fund projects – they sustain hope, nurture well-being, and build a healthier future for all of us.

Thank you for being the heroes behind our successes. As you explore the details in this report, we invite you to see the profound impact of your generosity. Together, we make a difference at HGH every day.

With warmest regards and heartfelt appreciation.

View full report >