GUELPH – The Foundation of the Guelph General Hospital is celebrating a gift from Alex and Deb Beath, previous owners of Guelph-based Artemis Technologies Inc.
According to a July 26 press release, the Beaths made the financial gift to fund all patient care equipment needed for the hospital’s Acute Stroke Unit, as well as a portable mammography unit for use during surgeries.
Hospital foundation senior development officer Jennifer Hogan declined to disclose the amount donated, writing in an email to the Advertiser “all donations to the foundation are confidential.”
Hogan added exceptions can be made when donor permission is given, but said that’s not the case here.
Though GGH averages eight stroke patients in hospital at a time, recently converted space on the seventh floor will allow up to 12 beds.
Guelph General Hospital (GGH) CEO Mark Walton said the area is being named the “Alex and Deb Beath Acute Stroke Unit” to honour the couple and their generosity.
“It was inspiring to hear their story and to learn about their gratitude for the care they’ve received at GGH,” Walton stated.
The new unit is now expected to open in the fall, thanks to the sizeable donation.
The Beaths had an opportunity to tour the new space with their family as the unit neared completion, according to the release.
“We have lived in the Guelph area our whole lives, our children were born in this hospital, and when I recently had health issues, I was cared for at this hospital,” Alex Beath stated.
“Hopefully our gift will inspire others to consider donating to further improve health care in the Guelph-Wellington area,” he added.
