Spring 2009 - St. Joseph's Health Care London

By Jackie Westelakengiving with impactRewardingResearchGiving back by funding medicalinnovationToday’s medical miracles, even everyday treatments,are thanks to innovation, imaginationand, of course, medical research. Recently atParkwood Hospital, such research was given asignificant boost by long-time Parkwood supporters,Tom and Joanne Cowan. The newlyestablished Tom and Joanne Cowan Endowmentfor Care & Research Innovation at ParkwoodHospital will support clinical advancements andresearch that have direct benefits to patient care.For the Cowans, there wasn’t a single motivatingfactor for their generous gift; rather it wasa series of positive experiences that confirmedParkwood was the right place for them—a placeto leave their legacy.turning ideas into realityWhen Tom was in senior management at ColdSprings Farm, Parkwood was a beneficiary ofthe company’s corporate philanthropy. The hospital,part of St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, isalso where their nephew received rehabilitationafter a serious car accident, and its palliativecare program has provided compassionate careto friends’ loved ones.With the opening in 2006 of the innovativeAging, Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care ResearchCentre, Parkwood is also where like-mindedresearchers come together in one space to shareideas and create new synergies.The research centre appeals to the Cowans.“We’re in the farming business and manyof the things we do today were just ideas in aresearcher’s mind long before they becamepractical,” explains Tom. “We need to keepfunding people with the ideas. Not all of themwork, but some do. Yesterday’s dreams aretoday’s practical solutions.”Thanks to the Cowans’ outlook, clinical innovationand research at Parkwood have anothersource of sustainable funding.Tom and Joanne Cowan are helping fund future health care.Last fall, the couple added to the fund whentheir team placed second at a charity golf tournament.Participants could designate charitiesto receive the tournament’s proceeds and Tomand Joanne’s foursome chose Parkwood. Whenan article was published in the paper aboutParkwood, people called and e-mailed sayingthe hospital was a good choice, Joanne recalls.“It was wonderful to hear this support forParkwood. It has such a strong reputation inthe region.”learning along the wayAs the Cowans reflected on their own experiences,they remember being mentored throughthe years by many people who believed in them.Creating this new fund was a way to demonstratetheir belief in others, and faith in theresearchers and the countless patients who willbenefit. They also appreciate that Parkwood’sprograms support both urban and rural populations,providing services for the entire region.Creating the fund, Tom admits, has been agreat learning process. “We learned a lot aboutwhat goes into creating an endowed fund and welearned about the various needs of the hospital,which helped us set up the fund for research.We also came to realize anyone can make a legacygift, at any time.”You, too,can leavea legacyFor more informationon how to makea legacy gift, contactthe foundation at519-646-6085 orsjhcfoundation@sjhc.london.on.ca. govim & vigour · spring 2009 55