The Northwestern Health Unit celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday, Nov. 2, with staff from the Emo office on hand to serve cake and refreshments during a two-hour open house.
Gerd O’Sullivan cut the one-layer anniversary cake while staff clerk Loretta LeBlanc helped with the proceedings.
Ken Hampton presented O’Sullivan with a certificate recognizing the health unit’s 50th anniversary on behalf of local MPP Howard Hampton. Also on hand during the afternoon were board member Ken McKinnon and Emo Reeve Brian Reid.
Open houses was held throughout the area the health unit serves, including Fort Frances, Rainy River, Atikokan, Ignace, Sioux Narrows, Kenora, Minaki, Dryden, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout, and Pickle Lake.
The health unit board includes chairperson Ingrid Parkes (Keewatin-Jaffray-Melick), vice-chair John Albanese (public appointee), Barbara Beeraerts (Dryden-Ignace-Machin-Pickle Lake-Sioux Lookout), Dennis Brown (Atikokan), Bill Martin (Fort Frances), Ken McKinnon (Alberton-Chapple-Dawson-Emo-LaVallee-Lake of the Woods-Morley-Rainy River), Gwen Swancar (Kenora-Sioux Narrows), and Duncan Wilson (Ear Falls-Golden-Red Lake).
There are three vacancies on the board, which will be filled by public appointees.
The health unit’s board and management gratefully acknowledge the contributions and dedication of members and employees–past and present–throughout the past 50 years.
Thanks also goes out to the public, whose support of the health unit and its programs over the past 50 years is appreciated and applauded.
The health unit is looking forward to serving everyone over the next 50 years.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
