This morning, the Orangeville Lions Club presented awards to Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) and two dialysis nurses, recognizing the exceptional care provided every day and in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the entire COVID-19 pandemic, Headwaters Health Care Centre has been the epicentre of COVID-19 response activities, medical care and testing for our region. Staff and physicians have gone above and beyond establishing innovative testing centres and providing the highest quality care for COVID 19 patients. The Orangeville Lions were proud to have been involved with Beta testing the COVID-19 assessment centres.
Lion Lions President Mike Walker presented Kim Delahunt, President & CEO, HHCC with a plaque on behalf of Orangeville Lions to recognize, acknowledge, and thank all frontline and essential workers for their sacrifices, risks and commitment to our community throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of our hospital,” said Kim Delahunt, President & CEO, HHCC. “Our staff and physicians are fully deserving of this recognition for their tireless commitment to patient care.”
Lion Wade Neal, a Constable with Peel Regional Police had been living with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) for decades and had been on a very long list awaiting his chance for a kidney transplant. On November 19, 2020, after years of waiting, Wade finally became the recipient of a living donor kidney and is now doing well and is back to work.
Wade's battle with PKD started when he was 23 years old and progressively worsened. By 2018, the disease's effects on his kidneys became so severe that he needed to begin dialysis treatment at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville.
Tania Alexander and Kelly Jenkins-Young, nurses with the Headwaters Health Care Centre’s Dialysis Unit were awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards in recognition of the exceptional care provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two nurses were also instrumental in giving care and friendship to Wade Neal while he awaited his transplant.
“It is an honor to be recognized with this Award,” said Kelly Jenkins-Young. “I absolutely could not do this job without the outstanding Nephrology Team that I work with every day. We work together to provide the best possible care for our patients. After all, when you care for patients three times a week, they become your extended family!”
"I am honored to be recognized with this award. Our whole Nephrology team provides excellent individualized care to our patients and I am proud to be part of such a great team,” said Tania Alexander.
About the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award
Lions Clubs International recognizes outstanding individuals by bestowing on them an award that is named for its founder, Melvin Jones. This Fellowship Award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism.
About the Orangeville Lions Club
The Orangeville Lions Club was chartered on April 12, 1949 with a membership of 22. From the outset, it established itself in the Community by working as a team of energetic civic-minded citizens to provide much needed facilities. On May 8, 1953, the Club was incorporated by Letters Patent of the Province of Ontario.
Today the Club boasts a membership of 49 – which includes life members, and maintains the same drive and spirit generated at the time it was chartered. All funds from Lion’s events remain within the community and include major projects such as Lion’s Park and Sports Pad, Island Lake Playscape, and dozens of other projects and donations within the community.