The Bluewater Health Foundation has received a historic $5 million gift from The Gordon Foundation, the largest individual donation in the foundation’s history.
Executive Director Kathy Alexander said the foundation is incredibly humbled to receive a gift of this magnitude from the Gordon family.
"It really speaks to their belief in Bluewater Health, and their belief in local healthcare and the importance of local healthcare," said Alexander. "Definitely I was incredibly honoured, and honestly a little bit overwhelmed. It's an incredible donation that will have tremendous impacts. We're very, very grateful."
Alexander said $2 million will go towards expanding cardiac care services at Bluewater Health.
Chief of Staff and Vice-President of Medical Affairs Dr. Mike Haddad said in a news release that the investment will greatly support Bluewater Health’s plans to strengthen and increase cardiac services locally.
“As our community grows and ages, we know the need for cardiac care closer to home will continue to grow with it. Our goal is to expand and continue building our cardiac programs so more patients can better access advanced high-quality care locally, without having to travel outside Sarnia-Lambton," said Haddad.
The remaining $3 million will go toward the establishment of an endowment fund for urgent hospital needs.
"Which will be named for the Gordon family and their extreme generosity," said Alexander. "And that endowment fund really has lifelong impact for our community and our hospital, and will be enabling us to use the interest on an annual basis to purchase much needed priority equipment for Bluewater Health."
In a news release, Bluewater Health President and CEO Paula Reaume-Zimmer said philanthropy has played an important role in advancing care at Bluewater Health, and this extraordinary gift demonstrates what is possible when our community shares a vision for the future of local healthcare.
“The Gordon Foundation’s investment gives us an opportunity to strengthen care for patients now while also looking ahead to what our community will need in the years to come. We are incredibly grateful to the Gordon family for choosing to make this lasting investment in Bluewater Health.”
In recognition of the contribution, the London Building at the Sarnia hospital will be renamed The Gordon Family Patient Care Building.
“This is more than a remarkable donation – it is a legacy,” added Alexander. “Every patient and family who enters The Gordon Family Patient Care Building will be reminded of what generosity can make possible. We are deeply grateful to the Gordon family for their commitment to ensuring exceptional care remains available close to home.”
The new signage is expected to be installed sometime in November 2026.
