Family donates $1M to Meaford Hospital, biggest donation in hospital's history

Next year the Meaford Hospital will be opening a new cataract surgery suite, and it will be thanks – in part – to a local family's donation to the hospital. 

The Lewitt Family gave $1 million to the Meaford Hospital Foundation, which is the largest ever gift received by the foundation. 

The money will go toward not only the cataract surgery suite, but also to new X-ray machines and cardiac monitors for the emergency department, according to a news release from the hospital foundation. 

Rob Peacock, CEO for the Meaford Hospital Foundation said the gift was both important and timely. 

The hospital's chief of staff, Dr. Nathalie Sauriol, called the gift "remarkable." 

"[It] will make such a difference to the many aspects of medical care at the Meaford Hospital, and will inspire and benefit our staff and our community," said Sauriol in the news release.

Currently, patients from the Meaford area have to travel to Owen Sound for cataract surgery, and there are lengthy wait times. By adding a local option, wait and travel times will be reduced across the region, according to the release. 

"The cataract surgery suite will include state-of-the-art technology – a microscope with software that will enable physicians to replace the lens with one that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism – allowing patients to have their cataract removed and then be able to go glasses-free after the procedure," states the foundation's news release. 

The new X-ray machines will have lower radiation doses and higher image quality. 

The Lewitt's donation will also help buy four new cardiac monitors for the emergency department.