President Howard opened the meeting at 7:07, at the Legion, announcing visitor Sean Ellis and commiserating with William M. over his broken ribs. 22 were present in person with 15 joining by Zoom. After a rather abortive attempt at Oh Canada!, courtesy of YouTube, David M introduced the guest speaker, Stacey Daub, CEO of Quinte Health Care, whom he had a role in recently appointing. He referenced her skills in collaboration and persuasion as well as her impressive past experience with all types of healthcare. Two other qualities he particularly noted in her were ‘vision and a sense of future’.

 

Stacey began by sharing some family details and education as well as previous involvement with community and primary care. Her first experience of a pandemic came with SARS and subsequently she has been directly responsible for fighting Covid’s community transmission, especially in Long Term Care (Nursing) homes in Ontario. 

 

Stacey made the decision to relocate to the area partly because she feels the kind of community exists here that well suits her vision for future service and growth, both personally and professionally. The energy with which she has addressed her new responsibilities is impressive. She has visited all four hospitals in the authority, held over 400 Zoom meetings with the health care providers as well as having done considerable research and preparation before taking up her post on January 4th. She explained why, despite the relatively few Covid cases or deaths in our area, it is still necessary to maintain all precautions. She highlighted the shortage of long-term or convalescent care, particularly for seniors, which is keeping hospital wards fuller than necessary. Regarding the imminence of vaccination against Covid, she reported that Quinte Health has supplies for local distribution and inoculation which began last Thursday. As well as the need to prepare for a third wave of the disease, Stacey is also concerned about the surgical backlog, though many other treatments had continued relatively predictably. Turning to the topic of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, she expressed her strong interest in the project to replace it and explained that possibly inexact predictions and Covid were behind the recently-announced delay to the completion date. She does not believe that the project could be derailed for political or health-planning reasons.

 

After referring to the situation regarding the CFO and the importance of the Critical Care Secretariat, Stacey answered questions and was thanked by Sharon.

 

In Club business, Bill M. needs more volunteers for March so please sign up.

 

Phyo and others will be meeting with Adam Goheen from the County about (and at) the Wellington Rotary Beach. Michelle raised concerns about safety on the route to the lighthouse from the beach.

 

Yvonne reported on and was congratulated for her achievement with the Rotary maple syrup. Almost all the first batch is sold and a second bottling was approved by the Club nem con.

 

Parker is stepping back from the role of Director of Membership, his efforts at which were recognised by President Howard.

 

The Legion is comfortable with seating being rearranged to best observe social-distancing protocols as long as it is returned to the previous setup after disinfection.

 

After recognising Niden’s birthday and the 4 Way Test, President Howard closed the meeting at 8.05.