LANARK COUNTY – Carol Anne Esnard and Dave Perley both believe in giving back to their local communities. As the new board chairs of the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) and Almonte General Hospital (AGH) respectively, they plan to work together to ensure their communities have the very best care close to home.

“I love living in Beckwith and I want to be involved,” Esnard said. “Being on the CPDMH board has been an incredible experience and I’ve learned so much about health care and my community.”

Esnard retired in 2015. Most recently, she was the chief administrative officer at Genome Canada. Esnard has held a number of executive positions over her career, mostly in the not-for-profit sector.

Dave Perley shares Esnard’s love of the local community.

“I was relatively new to the area when I joined the AGH board and I wanted to expand my network, meet some new people and make a difference,” Perley said. “I sure haven’t been disappointed.”  

Perley is a retired Hewlett Packard executive with more than 30 years in the high-tech industry. He is a frequent lecturer at Algonquin College in the areas of business, marketing and leadership skills. Throughout his career, he has also volunteered with not-for-profit associations.

 Both Esnard and Perley say their goals are aligned, focused on improving care through the further advancement of the Mississippi River Health Alliance and a joint clinical service plan for the two hospitals.

“Aligning strategic plans and integrating select services is leading to greater efficiencies and innovations in our delivery of care,” Esnard said. “We are excited to see what the future holds as this collaboration evolves,”

“We want to build on the great work that has been done already and ensure we are aligned at the Board level too,” Perley said. “One plus one definitely equals 3.”

Each hospital is also planning a major infrastructure project in the coming years with the new Emergency Department in Carleton Place and expanded Diagnostic Imaging services in Almonte, including an application for a new CT Scanner.

“We are all looking forward to completing the Emergency Department planning process and getting the shovel in the ground,” Esnard said. “Approval of the CT Scan application will be a major achievement for health care in our area,” notes Dave.

President and CEO Mary Wilson Trider says she is proud to be working alongside both boards of directors.

“Our local communities are very supportive, and these committed volunteers bring diverse skills, expertise, and community knowledge,” she said. “Congratulations to Carol Anne and Dave on their new roles.”