February 18, 2011/-KINGSTON, ON – Kingston’s hospitals celebrated the announcement today of a $50,000 gift from The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital, and Providence Care.

The Dominion gift will support the new child and adolescent mental health inpatient unit currently under construction at Kingston General Hospital. The new 8-bed unit is being designed to create as home-like an environment as possible, including its own dining room, recreational area, study room and private rooms.

President and CEO George Cooke announced the gift, which is The Dominion’s first major gift to Kingston’s hospitals.  “The Dominion’s connection with the Kingston community reaches deep into our history - we are very pleased to support education and healthcare here” said Cooke.  “Mental health is an area that needs funding and attention to ensure that top of class care-facilities are available for the growing number of Canadians that need them.”

Chris Cunningham, Kingston General Hospital Board Chair, expressed thanks on behalf of the hospital and announced that the study room in the new unit will be named in honour of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company. “Thanks to your wonderful gift, youth in the unit will be able to stay connected to their school work. It may even mean that they can finish some of their courses, instead of having to do them again when they return home.” 

Ian Wilson, Chair of the Together We Can campaign, praised The Dominion’s commitment to health care in Kingston. “The Dominion is known for their philanthropic spirit, and we are honoured that have made a gift to Kingston – this is a fantastic demonstration of corporate leadership in our region and we thank you.”   

The new unit, which will be named for the Kinsmen Club of Kingston, is anticipated to open in the spring.

Canadian owned and operated since 1887, today The Dominion is one of the country’s largest property and casualty insurers. The Dominion takes pride in providing Canadians with confidence that the cars, homes and businesses they value are protected.  A fierce advocate for consumer interests, The Dominion is committed to making sure the insurance system works best for consumers. The Dominion strongly believes consumers should have access to independent, professional advisors, who provide advocacy and choice, which is why they distribute their products exclusively through independent brokers. The Dominion's priority is to earn and maintain the trust and loyalty of policyholders, employees and business partners. Visit thedominion.ca

About University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
The $70-million Together We Can campaign is the largest and most important health care fundraising initiative in the history of Southeastern Ontario. Led by the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the joint fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care, the campaign will raise money for the redevelopment of our hospitals, the purchasing of equipment and the funding of medical research and staff education. To find out more about giving opportunities or to make a donation call 613-549-5452 or toll-free 866-549-5452 or go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.