A New Era of Critical Care Has Begun

Thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, we are proud to introduce the Windsor Plywood Foundation Critical Care Building. With 24 state-of-the-art patient rooms and spaces designed for families and healthcare teams, this transformational project will save lives. Thank you to every donor who made this milestone possible.

Click to Enlarge and Play Video With Sound

Together, we are revolutionizing critical care for the 460,000 residents who rely on NRGH for lifesaving medical services

Honouring Our Donors

the power of generosity

The Windsor Plywood Foundation’s record $3 million gift for the new Critical Care Building has made an immeasurable and transformational impact on healthcare for Central and North Island residents.

“We have seen firsthand how central and north Vancouver Island has grown, and how the need for a new and updated ICU had become increasingly critical. The people of Nanaimo and its surrounding regions have been a large part of Windsor’s success over the last 50 years and we are fortunate to be in a position to give back to these communities.”

Cathy Brown, Executive Director,
Windsor Plywood Foundation

Anonymous

Bert H. Badey

Lucille & Dwaine Barclay

Coastland Wood Industries Ltd.

In Loving Memory of Linda Dianne Cowling

Pat Docherty Memorial Golf Tournament

Estate of Kurt Koloska

Estate of Anne Eve McConnell

Estate of Ronald Charles Sully

Estate of Janet Ruth Taylor

Fairwinds Golf Club

Janet & Ghazi Farooq

Clifford Jackman

Edward & Sheila Mayhew

In Memory of Rosie-Jean McKenzie

Mid Island Co-op

Roger, Carolyn & Jack Morrisey

Vera A. Morrow

Nanaimo Community Foundation

Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary

Quality Foods

Shields Foundation


Tim Hortons
– Brooks Landing
– Dickinson Crossing
– Nanaimo North Town Centre
– Southgate
– Wallace St
– Westhill (Bowen Rd)
– Woodgrove Mall

Tom Harris Community Foundation

Jean & Leslie Bird

The Brett Family

Canadian Tire Corporation

Robert Delaney & Joanne Caple

Lorna M. Cliffe

David Cowling

Bob & Edie Ford

Frank & Jane Gregory

Insulpro Insulation Inc.

Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary

The Lake Family’s All One Fund

Anne & Erling Larson

The Family of Sonny & Nan Lee

MARANSON Holdings Inc.

John & Claudette McLenahan

McNally Family Foundation

Nanaimo Lions Club

Shirley-Anne Osborne

Parksville Lioness Club

PepsiCo Beverages Canada

William J. Pittendreigh

Harry & Marilyn Roberts

Rotary Clubs
– Lantzville
– Nanaimo
– Nanaimo – Daybreak
– Nanaimo North
– Oceanside

Royal Canadian Legions
– Branch #10
– Mt. Arrowsmith #49
– Mt. Arrowsmith #49 – Ladies

Auxiliary
– Ladysmith #171
– Bowser #211
– Mt. Benson #256
– Seaview Centennial #257

TB Vets Charitable Foundation

Patricia & Thorne Underwood

Wespro Drywall Inc.

Allison Wood

Mr. & Mrs. P.A. Woodward’s Foundation

Wes Zannet

100 Women Who Care Mid-Vancouver Island

Ainsworth Inc.

John B. Arac

B.D. Mitchell Prosthetic & Orthotic

Thomas & Lorraine Bates

David Beilhartz

Sharon Bellinger

Bird Construction

Anne-Louise Boyd

Cottonwood Ladies Golf Club

Cynthia & Larry Crawford

Dr. Bill & Janice Croft

Discovery Silver Corp.

Malcolm Dunnett

E.N. Painting

Morris & Jillian (Moe & Jill) Easterbrook

Casey & Patricia Entius

Estate of Joan D. Brown

Estate of Marvin Daychakowski

Estate of Robert William High

Lori Broadfoot

In Memory of Violet Brown

Canterbury Coee Corporation

Walter & Marion Clark

Coastal Community Private Wealth Group

Coastal View Homes

Cobs Bread

Douglas & Vickeri Cochrane

Wilda Colyn

Estate of Lillian Maxwell

Fidelity Investments Canada ULC

Lloyd & Ruth From

In Memory of Howard & Esther Gawley – Estelle

Klaus & Maria Gerick

Robert & Karen Gomerich

Graphic Office Interiors Ltd.

Harcharan & Balbinder Grewal

Rob Grey & Melanie Donohue

Happy Wanderer’s Travel Club of District 69

Harbour City Plumbing & Gas

Harbourview Volkswagen

In Memory of Dorothy Hardy, Charles Hardy

Dr. Jon & Marina Hawkeswood

Herold Engineering Ltd.

Mary Hislop

Douglas & Teri Hitchen

Hopkins Prevett Foundation

In Loving Memory of Leslie & Dorothy Irving

J. E. Anderson & Associates

Jacek Martin Foundation

JCM Professional Mini Storage Mg. Ltd.

Alice Jensen

Paul & Bonnie Johnson

Scott Johnston

Dr. Robert Johnson & Wendy Alexander

Marilynn Kathrein

In Memory of Diane Kellam

Michael & Karen Kenyon

Andrew Kettner

Keystone of Life Foundation

King Kubota Services Ltd.

Knappett Industries Ltd.

Knight Bligh Family Wealth Management

Dr. Zenobia A. Kotwall

Tyson & Janice Krall

Leonard & Sharon Krog

KSG Consulting Ltd.

Gord & Liz Laidlaw

The Lindblad Family

Lohn Foundation

Susan P. Maartman

R. Lorne MacFarlane

Madrona Imaging Inc.

Dr. Kelly & Karm Matsuo

Richard & Anuradha Mayer

Greg R. McCarley

MFC Holdings

The Milner Group

Dr. Andrew & Christine Mitchell

In Memory of Cli Morton

Nanaimo Airport Commission

Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society

Nanaimo Port Authority

Nanoose Bay Lions

Steve & Debbie Neil

Newman’s Own Foundation

In Appreciation of Dr. David Forrest & Dr. John Ronald – The Newton Family

Marilyn & Danny O’Hara

Gordon & Grace Olafson

Vincent Ollech

In Memory of Garrett Paquette

Parksville Chrysler Ltd.

John & Nancy Peirce

Gerry & Colleen Pollock

Derrill & Pauline Prevett

Manly Price

R.W. (Bob) Wall Ltd.

RBC Dominion Securities

RBC Foundation

Rocky Point Engineering Ltd.

Dale Rowe

Bryan & Madge Rudgard

Jean-Marie Russell & James Chamberlain

Don Slaughter

Christopher Southgate & Patricia French

Stage Left Partners Ltd.

In Memory of Lorraine Stewart – David Stewart

The Sutherland Foundation

Bruce & Edith Tait and Family

David B. Tayelor

Rob & Audrey Van Schubert

Frances Vargo

Fleming Wang & Mary Rose Sun

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

Wenner Group

Western Medical Canada Inc.

Westshore Electrical

Westwood Metals Ltd.

Widdershoven Family

Women of the Moose – Nanaimo Chapter #197

Ken & Betty Wong

Woodgrove Centre

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of individuals, families, businesses, and community organizations. Each gift, big or small, has played a crucial role in bringing these essential healthcare upgrades to life.

Explore the stories of our donors—why they chose to give, what healthcare means to them, and how their contributions have made a lasting impact.

Click to expand and read each story.

A Gift in Loving Memory of Linda Dianne Cowling
At Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is more than a medical facility—it is a testament to the generosity and gratitude of those who believe in quality healthcare close to home, among its many meaningful contributions, like the patient room dedicated “In Loving Memory of Linda Dianne Cowling.”

For the Cowling family, this is a heartfelt expression of appreciation for the compassionate care they have received and a lasting tribute to Linda, a woman whose warmth and resilience touched so many lives.

Remembering Linda Cowling
Linda Dianne Cowling faced significant medical challenges from a young age after contracting polio, but she never let them define her. Though an injury ended her dream of becoming a teacher, she dedicated her career to supporting students as a school secretary, finding fulfillment in helping others.

CLICK TO READ MORE

In 2014, a group of friends came together for a casual golf day, enjoying a shared passion for sports and friendship.
What began as a lighthearted gathering soon took on a significant purpose after the loss of their dear friend, Pat Docherty, in late 2016. Pat, a beloved member of the Nanaimo community, was born at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) and lived a life filled with love for hockey, baseball, and especially golf. His friends decided to honour his memory by turning their annual golf outing into the Pat Docherty Memorial Tournament, raising funds for causes close to Pat’s heart.


Since 2017, the tournament has raised an outstanding $429,000 for charitable organizations across Central Vancouver Island. Of that, $353,405 has gone directly to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation, with a focus on transforming critical care at NRGH. The tournament, which brings together Pat’s lifelong friends, business associates, and local supporters, has become a heartfelt tribute to his legacy, each year driving their mission to make a meaningful impact in the community.

CLICK TO READ MORE

Helping to Equip Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s new Intensive Care Unit to meet the needs of our Growing Community
A Legacy of Community Support and Partnership
Coastland Wood Industries has long been an essential part of Nanaimo’s community, providing stable employment and fostering partnerships with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Under the leadership of Bob Shields, Coastland has supported the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation for decades, including over 13 years of involvement in the Foundation’s Golf for Life event. Their continued support ensures that NRGH can meet the evolving needs of the region’s healthcare system.


The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is proud to recognize Coastland Wood Industries’ generous support in the development of the new Critical Care Unit (ICU) at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). The Shields Foundation gift became a combined effort. To deepen their impact, Coastland set up a matching initiative, where employee donations were matched dollar-for-dollar. This collective effort enabled the hospital to acquire state-of-the-art equipment, significantly enhancing its capacity to care for ICU patients. Partners like Coastland Wood Industries have led to a new, fully equipped, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit, benefiting patients and transforming critical care for residents in the Central and North Island communities.

CLICK TO READ MORE

The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is thrilled to celebrate our incredible donors who have made the Critical Care Building at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) possible, including the five Rotary Clubs who came together in support of an isolation room. This significant milestone marks another chapter in the ongoing development of the Critical Care Building, which began construction in February 2021.
A Vital Asset for the Community
The new Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which opened in June 2023, has been operating at full capacity, highlighting the critical need for advanced medical facilities in the region. The second phase of this development, the High Acuity Unit (HAU), is on track for completion by summer 2025. These advancements are crucial for providing high-quality care to the Central and North Island communities, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment close to home.

CLICK TO READ MORE

Last week, the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation team, partners, and select donors had the unique opportunity to tour the construction of the High Acuity Unit on the final floor of the new three-story Critical Care Unit, nearing completion at NRGH.

CLICK TO READ MORE

As many of you know, in 2020, the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) launched its largest fundraising campaign to date to replace the eight-bed ICU, which was then rated the worst in Canada. Through incredible corporate and individual gifts and record-breaking annual giving programs, the community came together and exceeded the $5 million target to fund all the state-of-the-art critical care equipment required for the new ICU.
The new ICU opened in June 2023 and is routinely operating at full capacity.

CLICK TO READ MORE
MAJOR DONOR Recognition

Windsor Plywood

The Windsor Plywood Foundation’s record $3 million gift for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s (NRGH) new Critical Care expansion makes an immeasurable and lasting impact on healthcare for Central and North Island residents.

The gift builds on more than 30 years of philanthropy in our community by Windsor Plywood founders Randle and Frances Jones. Cathy Brown, Executive Director of Windsor Plywood Foundation, shared, “This donation is particularly meaningful to the Windsor family as it helps honour my father, who recently passed away. Throughout his lifetime, he made it a priority to give back to the communities where his customers lived and worked… We are delighted to be able to contribute to this important and much-needed Critical Care addition.”

READ THE ENTIRE DONOR STORY

Stay Involved: Join Us in Making a Difference

Stay connected with us for updates on progress, donor stories, and other ways you can make an impact on healthcare in our region.

Your support helped bring the ICU and the Windsor Plywood Foundation Critical Care Building to life. Every donation gets us closer to ensuring that NRGH has the critical care capacity to meet the needs of our growing community.