FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2024
HHHS Foundation Capital Campaign Chair announced CT Scan and Mammography one step closer to reality for the Highlands. Tayce Wakefield, an experienced campaign volunteer and long-time resident of the Highlands, has
agreed to assume the lead volunteer role in the upcoming Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHSF, the Foundation) capital campaign. At the same time, the Foundation announced early results of the Believe in the Magic Giving Holiday Campaign.
The campaign will focus on raising the funds required for the purchase and installation of new life-saving CT Scan and technologically-advanced Mammography equipment to be located at the Haliburton HHHS site. Local access to this diagnostic equipment will decrease turnaround times for diagnoses, reduce the requirement for and environmental costs of patient travel, and reduce the number of land and air EMS transfers.
“We are thrilled that Tayce has agreed to take on this significant role to move the campaign forward,” says David Blodgett, HHHSF Chair. “She has been part of the Highlands for 30+ years and understands the importance of high-quality health care services close to home.” Supported by HHHSF staff and volunteers including the Board, Tayce will lead a team of volunteers committed to the campaign's success.
“These technologies will make an important difference for full-time and seasonal residents. I look forward to working with volunteers and staff to expand the base of financial support across the Highlands community, raise the necessary funds, and help position HHHS for the future”, said Tayce Wakefield.
Along with the announcement of the Campaign Chair came the news about the results of the Believe in the Magic of Giving Holiday Campaign that included a matching gift of up to $50,000 from Walter Ozog in honour of his wife Anu Kerstin Lellep and his parents Sophia and Martin. The Magic of Giving total as of January 10 is over $238,000.
“Diagnostic imaging is more than a piece of technology.” says Veronica Nelson, President and CEO of Haliburton Highlands Health Services. Appointed to the role in early December, she has more than 30 years of experience in diagnostic imaging, was a member of the HHHS team in the past and has championed the need for modern diagnostic services in the Highlands for more than a decade. “Seeing CT and mammography come to life in the Highlands is an incredible step forward to optimize health and wellbeing in Haliburton County.”

Given the aging population in the Highlands along with the abundance of high-risk work and recreational activities in the area, having diagnostic services available close by will provide quick diagnosis of critical illnesses and injuries. The information from diagnostic scans is sent to what is called the Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS) that stores and allows specialists across Ontario to securely evaluate images and provide the diagnosis to the Highlands health care team ensuring access to the best care as quickly as possible.
“I am energized by the response I’ve received about the upcoming improvements in diagnostic services in the County,” says HHHSF Executive Director Melanie Klodt Wong. “The early support from the County and people like Walter Ozog who understand the importance of health care close by, have set a solid pace for the early stage of our $4.3-million campaign.”
The Ontario Ministry of Health approved HHHS to purchase and operate the CT Scanner and technologically advanced Mammography in July. The County of Haliburton approved a $1-million grant to support the purchase and installation of the equipment in December 2023.
For more information about the Campaign and the HHHS Foundation, please contact
Melanie Klodt Wong (mklodtwong@hhhs.ca), 705-457-1580.