Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director Sally Kidson outside the new Saugeen Memorial Hospital entrance. Kidson announced her impending retirement at the Foundation’s June 20 AGM.

Hub Staff

During the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation’s (SMHF) Annual General Meeting June 20, Executive Director Sally Kidson announced that she has made the decision to retire from the Foundation. Her impending retirement date will be November 30. “I’m really looking forward to having time to do some of the other things I love to do because this job is an all-encompassing career,” said Kidson June 21, while adding that while it’s something that she absolutely loves, it’s not something you can do in half measure.

Kidson said there will be a sadness upon retiring from her role because she will miss everyone she’s gotten to know over the years but will also find new ways to occupy her time like travelling with her husband Bruce, spending time with her growing family, and finding time to write.

“I wanted the Foundation to have enough time to do a thorough search and find the right candidate for this position,” said Kidson. “We deal with donations, we deal with a lot of people’s money and we take that very, very seriously,” she said, while adding that the Foundation will be looking for someone who is dedicated, someone who understands the job, and is trustworthy.

Kidson said the time until her departure will be very busy with the August 19 Gran Fond cycling event as well as a collaborative Bruce Power golf tournament.

“I’m here until November 30 and we have a lot of work to do,” said Kidson. “Into the fall the SMHF will be hosting a volunteer and donor appreciation event that will also kick off the Foundation’s annual Light the Way campaign.

Kidson said that she is very pleased with the work that has been done in the three and a half years that she has been with the Foundation, citing developing more awareness within the community and new initiatives such as the “Give Every Month” (GEM) program. Kidson also made mention of the Gran Fondo fundraising event which has cyclists coming from Quebec, British Columbia and the United States, and is something that Kidson hopes will put Saugeen Shores on the map “in a big way”.

Kidson said she is also proud of the work the SMHF has done as part of five Foundations within the Grey Bruce Health Services working together to raise money for a new MRI in Owen Sound. “I feel that we’re a leader in that group as well as at the Foundation table,” she said. “We’re innovative, we’re creative in what we do,” she added.

Some of the destinations Kidson hopes to visit with her husband once she does leave her post in November are Thailand, Japan, and Australia. She also hopes to take in some camping in North America “to spend some time in nature.”