About the Foundation
Shaping the Future of Local Healthcare
Helping you Give Back so Local Health Care is Always Moving Forward.
The work of our Foundation and your charitable donations regularly support healthcare in a variety of key areas. Our regional area includes all health units in Nanton and High River, including the general hospital.
Our vision is a healthy community today and for generations to come.
THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY’S CARE
About Us
The High River District Health Care Foundation is the vital connection between community and healthcare. We provide our donors and volunteers with a means to support healthcare and wellness in our community. Hometown Healthcare Happens Here.
We contribute to a healthy community today and for generations to come by inspiring investment in local healthcare in partnership with Alberta Health and the people who live and work here.
Honoring Our Past, Fueling Our Future
The High River District Health Care Foundation was established on March 25th, 1986 and obtained charitable registration on October 16, 1986. For the first five years hospital staff ran the Foundation in addition to their regular departmental responsibilities. The only fundraising activity was the annual Dinner and Auction, which continues to be a signature event in the community today.
The Foundation received its first bequest in 1989 which established a permanent endowment fund. Over the years the endowment fund has been added to and now stands at over $2.7 million. The intent of the endowment fund is to ensure the long-term viability of the Foundation.
In November 1991, the “Be Our Partner” campaign was launched and the beginnings of a formal Fund Development program was put in place. A Fund Development Coordinator was hired in April 1992 and the following December the Foundation’s office was re-located within the Hospital
In 2009 the Board hired a full-time Executive Director. Since that time the Foundation, thanks to the amazing donors, continues to grow and invest to enhance healthcare in our community.
The Foundation Team
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![Wendy Kennelly, Executive Director]()
Wendy Kennelly
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wendy joined the team in 2021 and loves the community energy and passion for great healthcare in High River & Nanton.
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![Cathy Couey, Fund Development and Communications Officer]()
Cathy Couey
FUND DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
With 24 years with the Foundation, Cathy is a well respected fundraiser, communications expert and community leader.
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![Rhonda Bews, Administrative Assistant]()
Rhonda Bews
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
For 10 years, Rhonda has been the ‘glue’ to keep things together and extremely organized at the Foundation office!
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Avery Sheldon
FUND DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Starting in 2025, Avery is the newest addition to the team! She is enjoying learning from the amazing women she works with every day.
WHERE YOUR GENEROSITY LIVES
Empowering Care Across High River, Nanton & Beyond
For over three decades the donors and volunteers of the High River District Health Care Foundation have helped ensure that High River, Nanton and the surrounding rural communities have access to the very best local healthcare possible. The Foundation raises and responsibly manages community donations that allow our healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional care to our diverse community, each and every day. Through our donor’s generosity the Foundation invests in:
Purchasing new and up-to-date equipment
Providing enhanced patient care services
Enhancing community care programs and services
Investing in local staff education through scholarships
Making life more comfortable for residents of Long Term Care and Silver Willow DSL
Long Term Care - DSL
Supporting equipment, staff training and recreation therapy programs for 50 Long Term Care residents at the High River Hospital and 38 at Designated Supportive Living residents at Silver Willow Lodge.
Public & Mental Health Services
Financial assistance for programs and equipment to aid in the assessment, and treatments and individual care plans within public and mental health programs in High River and Nanton.
Home Care
Home care averages 500 clients every year in the communities of High River, Nanton and the surrounding area, with the goal of caring for clients in their home. Donations allow the Foundation to provide assessment and prevention tools for individual care plans.
High River Hospital
A full-service rural facility with a focus on patient and family centred care. With over 13,000 visits to the ER, almost 15,000 diagnostic imaging exams, more than 1500 inpatients and over 3000 visits to the Community Cancer Centre. Donor dollars literally touch every aspect of care.
Foundation Board of Directors
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Tyler Arnold
CHAIR
Tyler joined the Board in 2021 and has taken the leadership role as Vice Chair in 2023. As a lawyer and owner of Arnold & Arnold Barristers and Solicitors, he offers a keen eye for details and confident oversight of funding distributions and governance.
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Angela Caldwell
TREASURER
Angela is a CPA in High River and as a longstanding resident, is committed to volunteering and serving her community the best ways she can. As a new Director in 2023, Angela brings years of Board leadership experience and looks forward to representing the community here, for years to come.
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Tara Giles
SECRETARY
Tara is an accomplished, local business woman who plays an important role in the operation of L. & T. Giles Farms for the past thirty years. With a keen business eye and a commitment to giving back to community, Tara will play a vibrant role on our Board for years to come.
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Dr. Chris Warner
MEDICAL STAFF DIRECTOR
Dr. Warner is a light-hearted advisor and one of the hardest working doctors on the medical team. He keeps the team well informed on local healthcare and medical trends and issues in Alberta.
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Eliane Domingue
AHS DIRECTOR
Eliane is the Long Term Care, Site and Cancer Clinic Manager at the High River Hospital. She is a seasoned healthcare leader with 15+ years of national and international experience. She loves her community and is very proud to work in High River.
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Jesse Hari
RURAL DIRECTOR
Jesse was just recently nominated and elected in 2022. Jesse represents the rural constituents and has already been a positive supporter of the work the Foundation team is currently taking on.
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Roxy Wideman
DIRECTOR (Nanton)
As a Director representing the Nanton area, Roxy is continually advocating for rural healthcare. One of her most rewarding experiences on the Board was recruiting and selecting a new Executive Director during a world pandemic!
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Janice Dallyn
DIRECTOR
As one of our newest additions to the Board of Directors in 2023, Janice is honoured to play a role in healthcare philanthropy here in the Foothills. As an Agriculture Business Relationship Manager for ATB and an active, rural mother and wife she knows how important our Hospital and health units mean to everyone in the Foothills area.
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Ruthanne Koyama
DIRECTOR
Ruthanne joins the Foundation with a deep respect for good healthcare in our community and is involved in multiple committee and community volunteer boards in town. Combining her dedication to service and a successful career in oil & gas supply chain management consulting, Ruthanne is sure to meaningfully contribute to our mission.
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Verna Leman
DIRECTOR
Verna returned to our Board of Directors in 2025 as a past Director and local entrepreneur! We’re thrilled to have Verna contributing to Board leadership. Her positive attitude and ability to see challenges through a business lens are powerful contributions to the group. Verna calls High River home but operates her business, Hidden Charm, in Okotoks.
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Sheila Gordon
HOSPITAL AUXILIARY DIRECTOR
Joining the team in 2025, Sheila was an accomplished professional in corporate operations management and has been a community volunteer for as long as she can remember! Since residing in High River, Sheila is actively involved in the hospital auxiliary, River City Classics Car Club and the Legion to name a few.
A Salute To Our Community Partners
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HIFAB Transport is a family-run trucking business that has operated since 1978 and is Alberta’s premier transportation trucking company. Equipped with the infrastructure to handle any job safely and efficiently, taking pride in excellent customer service and ensuring the needs of the customer are met. They have been sponsors of the annual Dinner and Auction event for over 3 decades and we are incredibly grateful for the long-standing support provided by HiFab Transport.
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Formally known as Altrek Industries, they have contributed to the silent auction at our Dinner for over 30 years. After changing to Lennirose Holdings, they have continued their support as sponsors of the event, ensuring that the tables look amazing by sponsoring center pieces. The Foundation is sincerely thankful for their unwavering dedication for decades and the consistent support they provide to the healthcare community.
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Acuity is an accounting firm offering comprehensive financial services. Putting their clients first, they value the communities that they serve. They play a significant role in our Dinner & Auction event as a sponsor, ensuring a memorable evening for all the guests. Partners Rory Duce and Rhonda DeVisser have also supported the Foundation by serving on the Board, demonstrating Acuity’s commitment. The Foundation appreciates Acuity’s support and is beyond grateful to have such amazing champions in Nanton.