The latest innovations at Headwaters Health Care Centre will help keep newborns warm, thanks to a generous donation.

Last Thursday evening, members of the inaugural Headwaters Innovators group met to work out what would be their first fundraising decision.

The group invites members between the ages of 20 and 45 to have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, including networking with like-minded professionals at unique venues, offering behind-the-scenes hospital tours, and providing access to multi-hyphenate professionals, all while engaging them in philanthropy for the hospital.

“Headwaters Innovators represent the volunteers and activists of the future,” said Chris Stewart, Innovators Chair and founding member. “We are bringing together the best and the brightest in Dufferin-Caledon, and engaging the next generation of community leaders and philanthropists while at the same time having a lot of fun.”

The donors commit to a minimum of $5000 over a span of two years, and pool together their gifts to support a priority piece of equipment to be brought into the hospital. The piece of equipment is decided on by the group.
The inaugural meeting featured a presentation by Liz Ruegg, President and CEO of Headwaters Health Care Centre, as well as a hospital tour which featured equipment demonstrations by front-line staff members.

A portion of the evening included a healthy discussion, and a decision by the Innovators to direct their 2015 donation toward purchasing an infant radiant warmer, which will be used for the Women’s and Children’s program at the hospital.

Pre-heated radiant warmers are brought in as a precaution during every birth at the hospital, for instances when newborn infants are in distress. When they are in that situation, either they can’t maintain a sufficient body temperature, have respiratory problems, or have developed complications after birth. When this occurs, they are placed on a warmer where they receive immediate medical intervention.

Last year, nearly 800 babies were born at Headwaters, creating a need for a fourth radiant warmer to meet the higher volume of births.

“We are all at the age where we are having babies, have young children, or are considering the future of our families, and this piece of equipment just resonated with all of us,” says Mr. Stewart.

The Headwaters Innovators Group is currently still accepting new members. For more information, or to make an inquiry about becoming a member, contact Catherine Matzig, Leadership Giving at cmatzig@headwatershealth.ca.