News

The Board of the Morton Medical Centre (MMC) has made a commitment to provide more regular communication to our community and this is the first of what will be a series of articles over the next several months.

The Morton Medical Centre opened its doors in 2009 thanks to the incredible support of hundreds of people in our community. As a not for profit organization MMC is community owned and funded and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who serve as a landlord for the tenants at the healthcare facility located at 150 Strickland Street in Lakefield.

The vision of the MMC is to operate a facility that allows healthcare professionals to provide medical services in our community.

The 16-member MMC Board has several subcommittees that work in collaboration to maintain the Centre at a high standard so we can attract and retain doctors and related medical practitioners such as nurse practitioners and physiotherapists as they work to care for both current and future generations of patients in our community. In addition, the MMC Board works to ensure the long term sustainability of this vital organization with only two primary sources of revenue; rent from the MMC tenants (Physicians and Clinics) and parking. The revenue generated from the rent and parking is used exclusively for the maintenance and general up-keep of the building and property, as well as supporting a reserve fund for capital expenses that are apt to arise with an aging building.

The MMC does not have any direct employees other than a contracted Property Manager. Consequently, this requires a Board that is active, enthusiastic and engaged throughout the year as it oversees the organization. The composition of the current Board of Directors includes a diverse range of individuals with backgrounds in areas such as medicine and healthcare, business and fundraising, law, chaplaincy, finance, education and community leadership.

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce the community to our volunteer Board of Directors.

Standing back (Left-right): Sue Bell-Gastle, David Morton, Guy Hanchet, Katie McLaughlin, Dr. T om Bell, David Bignell, Sarah McMahon, John Runza, Ron Fotheringham, Reid Brownscombe.

Seated front (Left-right): Susan McMaster, John Boyko, Julie Brundle, Bryan Kingdon, R. Mary Ferguson-Pare. Absent: Nicole Truman

The MMC Board looks forward to offering updates and information to the community in the form of future articles in the Herald. This information will also always be available on the MMC website. Please visit us at www.mmclakefield.ca.

Parking Fee Increase to $5

Due to the increased costs associated with maintaining the medical centre, the parking fee will be $5 beginning February 1, 2024.

This is the first parking fee increase since 2009.

All parking revenue is used exclusively for the maintenance and operation of your community owned, not-for-profit Medical Centre.

Board of Directors

The Board is proud to announce that the Morton Community Healthcare Centre is now the Morton Medical Centre. Earlier this year, the Board’s Public Relations committee suggested that the centre’s name, tagline, and logo were confusing to some and inconsistently used in communications. A process was established that created a new name, tag line, and logo.

The Centre’s new tagline reminds us of the effort that created it: Proudly Community Built. Its new logo reflects the facility’s roofline. The new name, tagline, and logo will now be consistently seen on our sign, website, brochures, advertisements, website, and letterhead. The need for a community medical centre was realized in 2003 when doctors were leaving Lakefield to become hospitalists. A small group of engaged citizens realized that Lakefield would be unable to attract new doctors without a state-of-the-art medical facility.

A Foundation was formed, and fundraising began. While local and provincial governments contributed to the $4.4 million raised, over 80% of the funds came from generous community members and businesses. Land was donated, an architect hired, and construction began.

In 2009, the Morton Community Healthcare Centre opened as a not-for-profit corporation, operating under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors. Today, the facility is home to a team of eight family physicians who are members of the Chemong Family Health Organization, the Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) Nurse Practitioner Clinic, the Lakefield Physiotherapy and Foot Healthcare Clinic and a blood-testing lab.

Over 10,000 people from Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, and North Kawartha Townships are now receiving care from health service providers at the facility at 150 Strickland Street. Facility expenses are covered through income derived largely from office rentals and parking. The Morton Medical Centre will continue to offer excellent medical services to our community. You can find us at: www.mmclakefield.ca