It is hard to believe that I have now been with Community Health Centres of Northumberland (CHCN) for 8 months. It has been both a rewarding and challenging journey, and I continue to be inspired every day by the passion and impact of our staff, volunteers, Board members, community partners, and the clients we have the privilege of serving.
Over the past several months, we have been focused on strengthening the foundation of our organization while continuing to expand services and partnerships that improve access to care across Northumberland. We have welcomed new staff to our growing team, continue to recruit for key positions, and are working diligently to prepare for our Accreditation survey in March 2027 – an important milestone that reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, safe and equitable care.
Following the new Ontario Health funding announced this spring, CHCN is preparing to expand primary care to our first satellite location at the Rural Outreach Clinic (ROC) in Colborne. We are recruiting 2 Nurse Practitioners, 2 Registered Practical Nurses and 1 Midwife to increase the availability of care for residents in our rural communities. The ROC will also continue to be a collaborative site with our community partners. If you are looking for a family doctor or Nurse Practitioner, please register with Health Care Connect online at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect, or call 811.
Additionally, CHCN continues to advance our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and health equity. All staff and Board members are completing San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training to strengthen our understanding of Indigenous experiences and support a more welcoming, respectful and culturally safe environment for Indigenous clients, families and community members.
Community engagement continues to be one of my highest priorities. I have greatly enjoyed meeting residents, local organizations, businesses and community leaders, and I am always looking for opportunities to build new relationships. If your organization, service club, business or community group would like to learn more about CHCN and the services we provide, I would be delighted to connect. Whether it’s a presentation, community event or informal conversation, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we will do our very best to attend.
We are pleased to introduce you to our new Board Executive: Bob Biffin as Board Chair, Melanie Oda as Vice Chair, and Mitchell Benson as Treasurer. We have also been recruiting new Directors, with a focus on strengthening diversity and adding new skills, perspectives and expertise to support strong governance and CHCN’s continued growth.
Looking ahead, we will also be continuing our work to shape CHCN’s future strategic priorities and goals. As part of this process, we will be seeking input from our clients, community partners and residents across Northumberland. We value the voices and experiences of the people we work with and support, and we truly want our future direction to reflect the evolving needs and priorities of our community.
This summer has also marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our fundraising efforts. As a not-for-profit organization, community support helps us enhance programs and respond to emerging needs within our community. We are thrilled to launch our Make “Change” Happen at CHCN Fundraising Campaign – giving new life to old coins, bills and unused foreign currency that might otherwise sit forgotten in a drawer. Stay tuned for news on our upcoming, monthly 50/50 Draw – providing another fun and meaningful way for the community to support local healthcare while having a chance to win.
Thank you for your continued support of CHCN. There is much to look forward to in the months ahead, and I am excited to share the exciting work that remains underway across Northumberland.
With sincerity,
Chiara Campitelli-Thompson
Executive Director
