​Bruce Power to provide $250,000 to Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health

Bruce Power has announced a new partnership with the not-for-profit Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, based in Goderich, which aims to improve the health and quality of life for rural residents.

The company will provide a total of $250,000 in funding, $50,000 over each of the next five years, to support Gateway’s programming and research in support of residents and health care in Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce counties.

“Rural health care is unique and requires a different approach and we’re excited to be able to support Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s executive vice-president and chief development officer. “Gateway provides important resources for issues that affect rural communities, such as mental health and addiction, active living, and programming that supports such groups as farmers, volunteer firefighters, students and health-care workers.”

Some of Gateway’s programming includes:
 

• SHARP – Skilled Health care Attraction and Retention Program: Recruitment for health-care professionals by providing local training, education, and upgrading opportunities for our health-care workers.
• Brave-F – Benefitting Rural Area Volunteer Emergency Firefighters: Aims to promote health among rural volunteer firefighters by providing medical screening and education for cardiovascular health. 
• SHED Talks – Sustaining Healthy Farms through Empowerment and Dedication: Focuses on building connections and empowering an agricultural community.
• MHFA – Mental Health First Aid: community-based, accessible MHFA training that will allow individuals to gain skills and resources on how to assist and support someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. 
• Discovery Health-care Camp - Week-long immersive summer camp experience designed to engage and mentor high school students to consider health care career opportunities available to them, learn basic clinical skills and have fun.

“We are pleased to have this support from Bruce Power as one of our area’s largest industries and employers,” said Gateway president Gwen Devereaux. “We share many common goals aimed at improving the lives of people living in our region and making sure they have access to excellent health care within our communities. This ongoing support will allow us to continue the important work to better the health of our rural residents through research, education, and communication.”