Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) and its Nursing home celebrated a historic milestone this past weekend.
That was NGH President and CEO Todd Stepanuik, who spoke at the centennial event which drew hospital staff, volunteers, dignitaries, and local residents to commemorate a century of service, innovation, and unwavering commitment to health and well-being.
At the heart of the festivities was a powerful reflection from NGH President and CEO Todd Stepanuik, who described the hospital’s journey as “a legacy defined by compassion, innovation, and a relentless drive to meet the evolving needs of the community.”
Since opening its doors in 1925, Norfolk General Hospital has grown from a small-town medical center into a regional healthcare leader.
As Stepanuik shared with us, key historical milestones – including the introduction of the hospital’s first x-ray machine in 1926, the opening of the McCall School of Nursing in 1927, and the expansion to 215 beds by 1967 – laid the foundation for a facility constantly striving to serve better.
Mayor Amy Martin spoke about how, at the same time as the hospital was being set to open, elsewhere in Simcoe the Carillon Tower was being completed.
In recent years, NGH has embarked on bold, community-centered initiatives:
Project Search (launched in 2024) provides career training for students with intellectual disabilities, reshaping lives and workplace culture.
NGH became a designated Ontario Breast Screening Program site, enhancing timely diagnostics and care for women.
Collaborations with Fanshawe College aim to grow the local nursing and personal support workforce.
A multi-year Truth & Reconciliation Action Plan is being developed to advance culturally safe care for Indigenous communities.
The hospital also introduced the IDEA strategy (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism), earning a DEI Award from the Chamber of Commerce.
Perhaps most exciting is the hospital’s master planning process, which includes envisioning a new state-of-the-art hospital campus.
NGH’s commitment goes beyond acute care.
As MP Leslyn Lewis explained the evolution of the hospital while staying true to their core values.
Lewis was clear about what he believes sets NGH apart: its people.
MPP Bobbi Ann Brady also focused on the people who made this possible.
She, too, is also looking forward to the future – and is proud to know her family will have a role to play in shaping it.
The new facility being proposed by the hospital would be an innovative one, much like the original facility was 100 years ago, with the goal of moving forward and keeping up with the needs of the community.