Gratitude for the oncology teams
On September 16, the BMP Foundation welcomed Claude Letendre, President of Voitures Anciennes de Granby, and Alain Gaudette, a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Each year, Voitures Anciennes de Granby gives back to the community by supporting organizations whose missions are close to its members’ hearts.
They presented a $2,000 donation to BMP Hospital’s oncology department, inspired by the care Mr. Gaudette received and the lasting impression it left on him.
Quality care with a human touch
Mr. Gaudette remains deeply grateful to Dr. Miriane Stevens Lebel, Dr. Jacques Laplante and their teams for the care and support they provided throughout his treatment. He speaks highly of the quality of that care, as well as the attentiveness, dedication and compassion of the many people involved.
Beyond the treatment itself, what stayed with him was how he was cared for. His appreciation highlights the contribution of every person involved in a patient’s care and the essential role of human connection throughout that experience.
Giving back to the community
By supporting the oncology department, Voitures Anciennes de Granby is turning one person’s gratitude into a contribution that benefits the broader community. The donation reflects a commitment to giving back and supporting care for those who rely on BMP Hospital’s teams.
The BMP Foundation warmly thanks Voitures Anciennes de Granby for its generosity and Mr. Gaudette for expressing his trust in our hospital through this gift. It honours Dr. Stevens Lebel, Dr. Laplante and their teams, whose work and dedication made a meaningful difference in his care.
When we think about the cost of medical equipment, the purchase price often comes to mind. But the investment goes well beyond the equipment itself.
What does it take to get a new medical device ready for patient care? Explore our carousel to find out.
Medical equipment plays an essential role in the daily work of teams at BMP Hospital. Having reliable equipment helps ensure that tests, procedures, and patient care run smoothly across our region.
When the Hospital identifies a priority need, the BMP Foundation can bring the community together to help fund the purchase of new equipment.
But why replace a device that is still working? Find out in our latest “Did You Know?” carousel.
With fabric, thread and plenty of heart, a group of friends found a meaningful way to give back to their community. Brought together by their shared passion for quilting, six women created a collection of handmade baby quilts that will be given to newborns at BMP Hospital.
The initiative took shape in January 2025, when Jaana Tornikoski invited former members of a quilting group to begin gathering again. Together, they decided to put their skills to work for local families. The project also honours the memory of Ingeborg Fulford, who founded the original group about a decade ago. Every second Saturday morning throughout the winter, she brought together women who shared her passion for quilting.
Following Mrs. Fulford’s passing two years ago, the group stopped meeting. By reviving this initiative, the women hoped to keep her memory alive while recognizing the volunteer service that Ingeborg and her husband, James “Jim” Fulford, gave to BMP Hospital.
“For all of us, this project was a bittersweet labour of love and a way to remember her. We have also all relied on the services of BMP Hospital and wanted to show our support. This is our way of giving back to the community” explains Jaana Tornikoski.
Their initiative is a wonderful reminder that there are many ways to support your local hospital. By sharing their time, talent and passion, these six women have created something meaningful to warmly welcome newborns and their families.
The BMP Foundation sincerely thanks Karen, Laurie, Susan, Alice, Siddhi and Jaana for this inspiring community initiative.
From left to right: Karen Murray, Laurie Jenne, Susan Higginbottom-Dover, Alice Crossfield (Fulford), Jaana Tornikoski and Jordane Tardif, Events coordinator of BMP Foundation. Not pictured: Siddhi Merchant.
One question we are often asked is: How does the BMP Foundation decide which projects to fund?
Contrary to what some might think, these decisions are never made by a single person, nor are projects selected at random. Every funding decision follows a rigorous process built on the expertise of the teams at Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital, a careful assessment of identified needs, and responsible governance.
Discover how the needs identified within our hospital are transformed into meaningful projects through the close collaboration between the hospital’s healthcare teams and the BMP Foundation.
Public healthcare system funds the essential services our hospitals provide every day. That’s true. But it’s only part of the picture.
Behind many of the improvements made at Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital is the generosity of people who believe our community deserves access to the best possible care.
The Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital Foundation helps make projects possible that go beyond public funding or need to happen sooner than government resources allow. Donations help fund specialized medical equipment, new technologies, facility upgrades, and initiatives that enhance both patient care and the overall hospital experience.
Every project supported by the Foundation begins with a need identified by our healthcare teams. Working closely with hospital leadership and medical professionals, we invest where the impact will be greatest—for patients, families, and caregivers alike.
In 2025–2026, thanks to the generosity of our community, more than $1.5 million was invested in healthcare services at Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital.
Behind every gift is a story: a patient receiving an earlier diagnosis, a family benefiting from a more welcoming environment, or a healthcare professional equipped with the tools needed to provide exceptional care.
Together, our community is helping shape the future of local healthcare.
At its Annual General Meeting, the BMP Hospital Foundation presented the results of a year marked by more than $1.55 million invested in healthcare services and initiatives benefiting the residents of Brome-Missisquoi.
Throughout 2025–2026, the Foundation supported projects aimed at modernizing healthcare facilities, improving access to care, and enhancing the patient experience at every stage of the healthcare journey.
Among the year’s major achievements was the continued redevelopment of the Medical Imaging Department at BMP Hospital. With the Foundation’s support, a state-of-the-art mammography unit was acquired, and several improvements were made to the facilities and specialized equipment used daily by clinical teams.
The year was also highlighted by the opening of a second endoscopy suite and the addition of specialized gastroscopy and colonoscopy equipment. This investment has increased the hospital’s capacity to perform these procedures and improved access to essential diagnostic examinations for the community.
“I had the opportunity to see firsthand, in the procedure room, how this new endoscopy system significantly enhances visualization during procedures, directly contributing to both patient safety and procedural efficiency.”
– Émilie-Virginie Desforgues, Clinical Manager, Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital
Beyond equipment and infrastructure, the Foundation continued to invest in programs that support the well-being of patients and their loved ones. Adapted yoga, personalized fitness training, and art therapy services were offered to individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Additional initiatives provided support to caregivers, new families, long-term care residents, palliative care patients, and people experiencing homelessness throughout the region.
The Foundation also remains committed to the future of healthcare through its scholarship program, which encourages local students to pursue careers in the healthcare field.
This year was further marked by an important recognition when the BMP Hospital Foundation received the Social Purpose Organization of the Year Award at the Lumii Solutions Excellence Gala, acknowledging the Foundation’s impact within the community.
“Every project completed over the past year is the result of a collective effort. This remarkable mobilization allows us to provide more accessible, compassionate, and responsive healthcare for our population. We are incredibly proud to see the tangible impact of this generosity throughout our community,” said Francis Laramée, Executive Director of the BMP Hospital Foundation.
The Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to its donors, partners, volunteers, and collaborators. Their continued generosity helps advance healthcare in Brome-Missisquoi year after year.
As part of the Town of Cowansville’s 150th anniversary celebrations, an episode of the One Town, a Thousand Stories podcast highlights the history of Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital and its vital role in the development of our region.
Through the perspectives of Michel Racicot, Dr. Pincott, and Francis Laramée, the episode explores the key milestones that have shaped the hospital’s evolution since its founding.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how the hospital has supported the growth of the community over generations while continuously adapting to meet changing healthcare needs. The episode also highlights the lasting impact BMP Hospital continues to have on the lives of residents throughout the region.
More than just a healthcare facility, BMP Hospital is an important part of our community’s history and identity. Its growth and success have been made possible through the dedication of countless individuals who, over the years, have helped build and support a local hospital we can all be proud of.
We invite you to discover this episode filled with history, memories, and personal stories.
Listen the podcast:
The BMP Foundation would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Evelyn Blackwood French for her significant contribution to BMP Hospital’s Short-Term Geriatric Care Unit.
Thanks to this generous donation, several specialized pieces of equipment will be acquired to better support the needs of elderly patients receiving care at the hospital. These additions will help provide a safer and more comfortable environment while also supporting the daily work of care teams.
The equipment includes postural supports, positioning cushions, therapeutic mattresses, protective covers, bed safety rails, and fall prevention mats.
These needs were identified by the physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams, who use this type of equipment every day with patients requiring additional support due to loss of autonomy, cognitive impairment, or more fragile physical conditions.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $52,000. Mrs. Evelyn Blackwood French’s support will not only help bring this initiative to life, but will also allow the Foundation to continue funding other priority equipment needs throughout the hospital.
Through her generosity, Mrs. Evelyn Blackwood French is helping make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and care teams alike. The BMP Foundation is deeply grateful for her support.
Named Bimpy, these charming little bears wear a symbolic bandage and were created to bring comfort and reassurance to patients going through a difficult moment. They will be given primarily to children, as well as to vulnerable patients who may benefit from a small comforting gesture during their stay at the hospital.
This heartfelt initiative grew from an idea by Dr. Gérard Huni, who wanted to offer a sense of comfort and calm in what can sometimes be a stressful environment. The project was later brought to life by Marie-Pierre Dubé, Executive Assistant at the BMP Foundation, whose dedication and care helped make it possible.
Entirely handmade by the members of the Cowansville Circle of Farm Women, the bears reflect a deeply human commitment to the community. Each Bimpy represents hours of work, but above all, a sincere desire to make a difference, one smile at a time. For this, the BMP Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks.
At a time when care also means compassion, kindness and human connection, these little bears remind us that even the simplest gestures can have a profound impact.
Together, we give, we care.
From left to right: Marie-Pierre Dubé, Anne-Marie Durand, Mylène Gagné, Anne Archambault, Dr. Gérard Huni, and Francis Laramée.
