Tag Archives: Kemptville District Hospital

Kemptville District Hospital celebrates grand opening of Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite

Photo credit: Submitted.
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Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) celebrated the grand opening of the Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. 

The event marked the culmination of extraordinary efforts – spanning several years – by KDH, the KDH Foundation and the hospital’s incredibly supportive community to improve access to quality care in North Grenville. 

The ceremony featured an official ribbon cutting, tours of the new CT suite and unveiling of the Crossroads Campaign donor wall.  

“I was honoured to cut the ribbon for our state-of-the-art CT suite alongside Louise Tallman, Honorary Chair of the Foundation’s Crossroads Campaign,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “She was a tremendous champion for the Crossroads Campaign, which exceeded its goal of raising $2.2 million to bring a CT Scanner to KDH. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Tallman family for its longstanding support of our hospital.”

The CT Scanner – a GE Revolution Ascend – has been operating since April 14, 2025. It uses computed tomography to examine structures in 3 dimensions inside the body using the latest AI computing power, enabling care teams to diagnose patients more quickly, thereby managing and treating their conditions faster. Having a CT Scanner at KDH helps to reduce CT wait times regionally and enhance quality of care for patients. To date, almost 1,000 CT Scans have been performed at KDH. 

“We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for our wonderful community, which stood behind us every step of the way, pushing KDH towards a brighter future,” said Vassallo. “I truly believe this hospital is the heart of our community; a place where we find ourselves facing different stages and phases of life. KDH understands the importance of person-centered care, along with service excellence and innovation, and we’re so lucky to have a forward-thinking community that shares our vision and values. I am so grateful to everyone who supported the campaign to bring a CT Scanner to KDH!” 

The funds for a CT Scanner were provided by the KDH Foundation ($2.3 million raised through the Crossroads Campaign), the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville ($900,000) and Municipality of North Grenville ($900,000).   

“The Foundation has been looking forward to this moment for years,” said Margret Norenberg, Chair of the KDH Foundation Board. “We knew when the Crossroads Campaign started that its success would be up to our community, and it’s no surprise that our donors and sponsors rose to the occasion once again for our hospital!

The Foundation is so grateful to all the individuals, service groups, and local businesses throughout North Grenville and beyond who contributed to the campaign. Thank you all so much!”

The CT has transformed patient care locally, enhancing emergency and inpatient services, and significantly reducing the need for patient transfers, ensuring timely and efficient health care right here at KDH.

Kemptville District Hospital celebrates first CT scan

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Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that its CT Scanner is now operational. KDH welcomed its first CT patient to the state-of-the-art Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite today (April 14, 2025). 

“This is a dream come true for KDH and our community,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “We are so grateful to our wonderful Foundation and generous community for supporting our CT Scanner journey and helping the hospital create the conditions to expand acute health care services. I am immensely proud to be a part of a forward-thinking, progressive organization like KDH.”

The CT Scanner – a GE Revolution Ascend – uses computed tomography to examine structures in 3 dimensions inside the body using the latest AI computing power. 

It’s housed in Ontario’s first-ever Prefabricated Modular Cassette for CT and will enable care teams to diagnose patients more quickly, thereby managing and treating their conditions faster. Having a CT Scanner at KDH will also help reduce CT wait times regionally and enhance quality of care for patients. 

The 1,350-square-foot CT addition ties directly into KDH’s existing Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Department, which also performs x-ray, ultrasound, mammogram, bone density and cardiac examinations for patients. 

“The CT brings care closer to home,” said Karen Finner, DI Team Lead. “It expands health care services available locally and makes critical diagnostic imaging exams more accessible.” 

The Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite boasts a waiting room, accessible changing room, scan room, control room, prep area, washroom and more. 

The soft launch of KDH’s CT runs from April 14 to 18, with non-urgent outpatient CT scans only, and the full launch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 with all CT scan referrals accepted (including ER patients, inpatients and outpatients). CT patients will experience the same process currently in place for an x-ray or ultrasound at KDH, and are asked to check in at patient registration in the Emergency Room (ER) prior to coming to the DI Department. 

“The CT will transform patient care in our community, enhancing our emergency and inpatient services and significantly reducing the need for patient transfers, ensuring timely and efficient healthcare right here in Kemptville,” said Colin Sentongo, KDH Chief of Staff. 

The funds to bring a CT Scanner to Kemptville were provided by the KDH Foundation ($2.3 million raised through the Crossroads Campaign), the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville ($900,000) and Municipality of North Grenville ($900,000).   

“Thank you to everyone who supported our years-long drive for a CT Scanner,” said Vassallo. “Your support means that our patients can stay here instead of having to be transported to another hospital for a CT scan.” 

KDH is planning an official grand opening ceremony for the Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite in the early summer – stay tuned for details.

“The KDH Foundation is thrilled that we not only met our goal of raising $2.2 million, but actually exceeded it thanks to the incredible generosity of our community,” said Margret Norenberg, Chair of the KDH Foundation Board. “The additional funds raised through the campaign will be used to support the ongoing maintenance costs of the CT Scanner for its lifetime.”

Hey Day returns. Kemptville’s biggest garage sale back for 2025

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Hey Day is back for its 62nd year! 

The Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) Auxiliary invites you to its major fundraising garage sale, which brings in tens of thousands of dollars for the hospital each year. Hey Day is set for Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre arena. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming back our wonderful volunteers and community shoppers,” said Sandi Kelly, Hey Day Convenor. “Hey Day is a long-standing tradition in Kemptville, dating back to before the hospital opened its doors, and the Auxiliary is so happy to keep the tradition going.”  

Proceeds from the 2023 and 2024 editions of Hey Day – including over $55,000 raised last year – together with funds raised from other Auxiliary initiatives, went towards purchasing a CT Scanner for the hospital. 

Hey Day is considered one of the largest indoor garage sales in eastern Ontario and features all kinds of treasures, from home décor and books, to toys and clothing, electronics and sporting goods, plants and baked goods, jewellery and more! 

Hey Day is run entirely by volunteers and supported through community donations. All proceeds go to the hospital for the purchase of equipment and services in support of patient care. 

Anyone interested in volunteering for this year’s Hey Day can contact the Auxiliary by emailing kdha.heyday@gmail.com or calling 613-447-4492.

“Hey Day is a community event,” said Kelly. “Without people dropping off donations and showing up to help with the sale, the Auxiliary wouldn’t be able to do it, so thank you to everyone who contributes.” 

Mark your calendar, visit the KDH Auxiliary Facebook page, and stay tuned for more updates about Hey Day 2025!

Kemptville District Hospital unveils new x-ray machine

KDH staff with the new X-ray machine.
Kemptville District Hospital’s new general x-ray machine saw its first patient on Wednesday, November 20. Photo credit: Submitted.
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Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that its new general x-ray machine is operational. The state-of-the-art diagnostic tool saw its first patient on Wednesday, November 20.

“The installation of our new x-ray machine marks a significant milestone in the modernization of our Diagnostic Imaging department at KDH,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “This is just the first step in our commitment to enhancing diagnostic capabilities for our community. Next up is the CT scanner, which has been made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of our Foundation and the incredible support of our donors. Together, we are building a stronger future for patient care.”

The new machine – a GE HealthCare 656 HD Gen 6 – replaces the former x-ray, which reached its end of life. The new equipment produces high quality images owing to enhanced technologist features, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. 

“Our patients will benefit from having this new x-ray machine at KDH for years to come,” added Vassallo. “KDH is committed to providing our team with the best tools, so they can in turn provide the best care.”

The new x-ray will also improve technologist workflow for Diagnostic Imaging (DI) by enhancing efficiency through its advanced features. 

“We’ll be able to serve more patients because features on the new machine speed up and enhance x-ray examinations,” explained Karen Finner, DI Team Lead at KDH. “It’s a great addition to our department and the community as a whole.”

KDH has two x-ray machines in operation and continues to offer ultrasound, mammography, bone density and echocardiograms testing for patients. 

For more information about the DI department at KDH, visit: www.kdh.on.ca/services/diagnostic-imaging.

Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer visits Kemptville District Hospital

Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada
Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Canada, met with nurses at Kemptville District Hospital on Tuesday, November 19. Photo credit: Submitted.
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Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) welcomed Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Canada, Dr. Leigh Chapman, on Tuesday, November 19. The visit included a tour of KDH, conversations with nurses and an open forum session with Dr. Chapman. 

“KDH was honoured to host Dr. Leigh Chapman,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “Her visit was as productive as it was pleasant, providing an opportunity to showcase how our hospital continues to flourish by focusing on patient and family centered care. KDH is a wonderful example of a small hospital doing big things and Dr. Chapman saw that firsthand.” 

Dr. Chapman – who’s nursing career has spanned over 20 years – was appointed Canada’s CNO in August of 2022. She provides strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on priority policy and program areas, including health workforce planning and stability, long-term care, home care, palliative care, mental health, alcohol and drug use, models of care, scopes of practice and competencies.

Dr. Chapman is a registered nurse (RN) who received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto’s Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. She was selected as Canada’s CNO due to her breadth of leadership experience in varied nursing environments, such as practice, education, research, administration, policy and advocacy.

“It was a privilege to show Dr. Leigh Chapman what KDH has to offer and the progress that’s happening at our hospital,” said Katie Hogue, KDH’s Vice President of Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Dr. Chapman was impressed by our fantastic nurses, who go above and beyond for our patients on a daily basis.” 

Dr. Chapman utilized the visit to talk to KDH nurses about the challenges and opportunities facing their profession. She highlighted the Nursing Retention Toolkit as a way to improve the working lives of nurses in Canada.

“I regularly prioritize meeting with nurses across Canada,” said Dr. Chapman, who added that through engagement efforts it has become clear that nurse retention is a key area of focus for the country. “We need to optimize the work environment of nurses by changing the way we are valuing the essential work that nurses do every single day.”

Dr. Chapman thanked KDH nurses for their candour and comments during her visit. 

“It was wonderful to see how committed the nurses at KDH are to patient care,” noted Dr. Chapman. “They put patients first and we know we also have work to do on retention to ensure we are also optimizing the work environment for nurses.”

An open letter to the community from your healthcare workers

Dear friends and neighbours across Lanark, Leeds and Grenville,

Our communities are facing a very concerning increase of COVID-19 cases. The Omicron variant is here, and it is increasing the pressures on our already fragile health system.

Every person carrying the Omicron variant is infecting more than four other people. By comparison, anyone with the Delta variant currently infects only one other person. We are also seeing increasing volumes of other sick and injured people in our hospitals.

As your local doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers, we need your help. We cannot safely navigate the weeks ahead without you.

Please follow these important safety precautions:

  • Get vaccinated, including a third dose. A third dose improves efficacy of the vaccine, meaning if you do contract COVID-19, your symptoms will be milder. This is better for you and our health system. Visit https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/protection/vaccine-clinics/ for clinic information.
  • Keep a safe distance when with others from outside your household.
  • Wear a mask indoors when near those from outside your household.
  • Wash your hands well and often. This reduces transmission of all viruses and germs.
  • Please limit social gatherings or keep them small. This is a hard message to share. We all want to celebrate the holidays with our friends and loved ones. But we cannot let our guard down; we must all work together to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
  • Screen for symptoms of COVID-19 daily.
  • Stay home, isolate, and get tested if you have any symptoms, even mild symptoms.
  • If you are a close-contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case but have not yet been contacted by public health, please self-isolate and get tested.

Please help to ensure that our community can continue to seek emergency and time-sensitive care.

We are committed to doing our part, by keeping our hospitals safe through adherence to strict infection control and cleaning practices and ensuring we follow the important public health guidelines – such as getting vaccinated.

We’ve done this before, and we can do it again. We’re grateful to those in our communities who have been vaccinated and continue to follow these important safety guidelines.

Please stay strong. We need your help to relieve the pressure on our health care system so we can continue to treat those who need help over the winter season.

Signed, your health care teams at,
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
Almonte General Hospital
Brockville General Hospital
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital
Kemptville District Hospital
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital