Headwaters Marks 25th Anniversary at the Rolling Hills Drive Location

ORANGEVILLE, ON - May 3, 2022 – Headwaters Health Care Centre is celebrating its 25^th anniversary today, marking the hospital’s time at its site on Rolling Hills Drive. Celebrations are low key this year due to COVID-19, but the historic milestone is still being observed with a variety of activities over the coming months.
The first hospital in Orangeville opened in 1912 as the Lord Dufferin Hospital. It came into existence due to the diligent planning and fundraising efforts of a group of local women who founded the Lord Dufferin Chapter of the IODE charitable organization to raise over $7,000 that was needed to set up the hospital. They also established a training school for nurses at the same time.

Now, over 100 years later, the Lord Dufferin IODE continue to fundraise to help make Orangeville a wonderful place to live and work. “Our annual Geranium Fundraiser is in its 27^th year, and all the funds stay in Orangeville, some of which are still provided to the hospital as well as other community organizations,” said Jessica Cerveny, Lord Dufferin IODE Chapter President. “We are so proud to be involved in the community.”
Over the years, the hospital transformed and evolved, moving sites to accommodate expanding services and inpatient beds. Then, on May 3, 1997, there was one last move as the new acute care hospital opened at 100 Rolling Hills Drive.

Former Orangeville mayor Mary Rose remembers a tremendous effort to get the project approved. “The need for a new hospital as Dufferin County’s population grew was a hope, a desire, and a dream for everyone,” said former mayor Mary Rose. “So many people came together that community aspirations were evident and finally fulfilled in every way. There were committees and teams of people brought together in a single endeavour. It was such a special time for Orangeville.  After years of teamwork, planning, development, and sheer hard work the hospital opened in 1997. It was such an honour to have represented the town in that endeavour. We were very fortunate to open a new hospital at that time. The whole community and hospital staff deserved it.”
However, it wasn’t until 2002 that the name was changed from Dufferin-Caledon Health Care Corporation to Headwaters Health Care Centre.

“Over the past 25 years, Headwaters has continued to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve,” said Kim Delahunt, President & CEO of Headwaters Health Care Centre. “We are so proud of our history of providing health care services close to home for our community and we will continue to adapt as we look ahead to the next 25 years.” One of the biggest enhancements to the hospital has been the 8,000 square foot Ambulatory Care Centre which opened in September 2017 to provide high demand clinics and programs such as dialysis, chemotherapy, minor procedures, orthopedics and plastics.

“Hospitals play a major role in the social and economic vitality of a municipality,” said Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown.   “Employers and employees make relocation decisions based on the health care services that a community has to offer.  A major hospital is important to growing families and to seniors.  Headwaters is one of the larger employers in our community and serves as a major hub for volunteerism and philanthropy.  Our hospital has expanded its reach geographically and its variety of medical care over the last 25 years.  On behalf of Town Council and all of the residents of Orangeville I want to thank the administrators and health care staff for providing an exceptional level of service to our community.”

Given population growth and corresponding population health changes, the future of Headwaters will need to include additional services and supports as part of our clinical priorities planning.

“For the past twenty-five years, Headwaters Health Care Centre has been a proud anchor in the Hills of Headwaters. Always adapting to meet the expanding growth and changing needs of our community.” said Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones. “Headwaters HCC is a community success story because of the contributions from past and present board members, health care workers, staff and engaged community partners and volunteers.  As someone who has had a front row seat to so many of Headwaters’ successes, it is an honour to congratulate our ‘little hospital on the hill’ on your twenty-fifth anniversary.” 

Today, staff at the hospital are celebrating the 25^th anniversary with the sharing of memories by launching a series of videos on the website that provide insight to the hospital’s history and the people who have worked and been patients there. Staff are also enjoying the stories and baby photos being sent in for the “Cheers for 25 Years” contents! Please keep those coming, and you might see yours featured on the hospital’s website and social media channels. All entries will also be eligible to win prizes. More information is available at www.headwatersheath.ca