‘Healthcare is a combination of some of your own money, a lot of federal government and provincial government money, and fundraising, so we’re doing our part’
One of the most important fundraising initiatives for the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation took place on the golf course Tuesday.
The 2026 Osprey Links 28th annual Golf Gala was a sold-out tournament; proceeds are supporting the purchase of an additional ultrasound machine and upgrades to X-Ray and fluoroscopy at North Bay Regional Health Centre.
“This is our biggest golf tournament throughout the summer, and we’ve got more than 150 golfers out today,” explained Tammy Morison, President of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation.
“What’s really significant about today is that all funds raised will count toward our community matching gift challenge from FDC Foundation. FDC Foundation is helping us with a half-million-dollar donation. We’ll match the next half a million dollars, two to one, for the diagnostic imaging upgrade, which is three complete renovations and new installations of X-Ray equipment, a mobile C-arm, which is basically a mobile X-ray, two fluoroscopy suites, and an added ultrasound for our ultrasound department.”
Morison added that philanthropy has always been a part of the community’s healthcare.
“Healthcare has been a partnership between government funding and our hospitals’ budget, but what has the most impact is our community,” she said.
“And we have an opportunity to have advanced levels of care because of philanthropy. So we’re lucky to live in a very generous community. We know that some individuals and businesses are really interested in having an impact and making a difference for every single family in our community, and they’re doing that by supporting our hospital.”
Former Premier Attended
The event also includes North Bay native and former Ontario Premier Mike Harris, who started the Osprey Links charity fundraiser nearly 30 years ago.
See related: Former premier Mike Harris attends Osprey golf gala. ‘I love being here’
He partnered with his longtime friend Peter Minogue, who passed away in 2016.
“The late Peter Minogue approached me way back 28 years ago and said, ‘ We want to have an official opening of the golf course, and we’d like to start with a charity event and supporting the community.’ We’ve done it for 28 years straight,” he said.
“So it’s kind of special for me, and it helps me remember Peter Minogue and all that he’s contributed to the community. So great day today, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Harris also knows what the funds raised do for the local hospital.
“Yes, this is a big part,” said Harris, who was Ontario’s Premier from July 1995 to April 2002.
“I think last year, we raised about 75 or 80,000. Hopefully, we do the same this year. We have been part of province-wide, maybe Canada-wide, two-for-one funding. So that will contribute as well. Healthcare is a combination of some of your own money, a lot of federal government and provincial government money, and fundraising, so we’re doing our part.”