Our Stories

Happy Endings & New Beginnings

The Milton District Hospital Foundation (MDHF) recently welcomed Helen Vatistas as its new Executive Director. Helen has spent her entire career working in fundraising and brings more than 20 years of experience to her new role with the Foundation. Her most recent positions include leadership roles with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and the Toronto Public Library Foundation. She has also held positions with the University of Toronto, North York General Hospital Foundation and the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation.

“In the short time I have been with the Foundation I have come to truly appreciate the connection this community feels with their hospital and that is evidenced by the overwhelming support for our recent campaign,” explains Helen.

Helen’s arrival comes at a pivotal time for the Foundation which just wrapped up a very successful capital campaign. The CT Scanner and Diagnostic Imaging Renewal Campaign raised more than $5 million to support the purchase of a CT Scanner, one digital x-ray unit, two digital ultrasound units, a digital mammography unit and the expansion of the department with the addition of the James and Barbara Snow Diagnostic Imaging Annex.

“We are very pleased to welcome Helen to MDH,” says Lisa Shiozaki, Chief Operating Officer and Family Practice Program Leader, Milton District Hospital. “The Town of Milton is experiencing tremendous growth and the hospital is definitely feeling the pressures associated with that growth. Halton Healthcare Services is currently developing the business case to begin planning for the redevelopment and expansion at Milton District Hospital and the Foundation will have an integral role as we move forward with those plans.”

Milton District Hospital was originally designed to meet the healthcare needs of a population of 32,000. With the current population sitting around 68,000 and future projections still moving upwards the hospital must expand to ensure hospital services will be available to the new residents of the community it serves. With plans to implement coping strategies until an expansion is approved the hospital is depending on its partners – the Milton District Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary to support the acquisition of the equipment that will be required.

“This is a very exciting time for the Milton District Hospital Foundation. We just concluded our capital campaign and are now taking a look at our short and long-term plans for fundraising to support the hospital,” concludes Helen. “The staff and physicians at the MDH are highly skilled and devoted healthcare professionals. We need to support them with the best equipment available so they can continue to provide quality care to the people who need it. I have a great feeling about this hospital and have been very impressed with the support that the community has provided to-date. I look forward to working with the hospital and our community partners to enhance the services at MDH. ”