Annual Progress Reports

A message from the Chair of the Board of Directors:

Our staff, family and friends, and community make our work possible!…

It seems like no time since we were preparing our 2022-2023 Annual Board report.

2024-2025 has brought changes to our Board of Directors, and I would like to thank our outgoing directors Diane Roberts, Sean Cameron, and Willie Cormier who have dedicated many years of service to the RK MacDonald Board. The Board also extended a welcome to new members, Rozalyn Body Tobin, Juanita Pelly, Andrew Murray, and Patrick McKenna.

In review of our past year below, I share with you highlights of the Board continuing to support several initiatives:

I would like to thank the members of the Board who continue to give their dedication, passion, and time. Their drive to support the organization is evident through committee meetings and monthly board meetings. Education sessions are hosted for the Directors throughout the year. KPMG hosted virtual sessions such as Board Governance, Risk Management, Cyber Security, and Financial Risk Management. Nova Scotia Health and Wellness roles in Senior and Long-Term Care, Palliative Care, and Policy Development.

One major focus is the Infrastructure Renewal Project. The Steering committee has dedicated many hours to secure the Senior and Long-Term Care Facility Department Approval Process (FDAP). In the past year, the Committee has dedicated many hours to secure the design team FBM (Fowler-Bauer & Mitchel), Coulier Project Group, Senior and Long-Term Care, community stakeholders, and staff to ensure that the new nursing home will provide a home-like environment for the residents. In July 2024, a presentation was well-attended by residents, staff, directors, media, and stakeholders and government representatives announcing the renderings and the location of the new facility.

In 2024, the accomplishment for both the cooperation and the organization, we celebrated receiving a four-year award with commendations from Accreditation Canada which was acknowledged in June. A very proud moment for residents, family, staff, senior leadership, and the board who participated in an unveiling ceremony of the Accreditation banner which is proudly exhibited in the facility.

The organization’s goal for strategic planning (September 2025) will be the cornerstone for growing a sustainable organization as we transition into the new nursing home, which is to be completed in 2027-2028. The Strategic Planning will encompass a strong voice from community members at large, staff, and directors, to attain objectives and goals which can be monitored.

Amid the challenges posed by the ever-evolving healthcare landscape of workforce shortages from national, provincial, and local levels, we are very grateful to the Clinical and Human Resource leadership roles to have an ongoing recruitment strategy to secure new staff, who will continue to provide quality and dignified care to our residents.

The investment in new technology, will provide efficient services to interdepartmental needs (such as Finance, Human Resources, and Staffing).

The RK MacDonald website has gone through a new facelift to enhance who we are, and to promote engagement for viewers to the lifestyle while living at the Home.

Another highlight was our groundbreaking ceremony held in June 2025. It was in July 2024 we announced and viewed renderings for a new facility being built for Antigonish. Today, the breaking ground for the new long-term care facility for the residents of Antigonish and surrounding areas, represents a positive legacy for future generations. The plot of land was soon transformed into the beginning of a state-of-the-art long-term care amenity, a place where residents become neighbours and friends, and where future memories, achievements, and connections are made. To everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring us to this moment—your feedback, vision, and dedication have made this possible. The new home will be more than just a building—it will be the beating heart, pumping life and energy into our neighbourhood and community to represent our shared hopes, our shared values, and our shared future.

Thank you to the Directors who are dedicated and supportive to the Core Values of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home.

Finally, I cannot say this enough; it is the people who we are fortunate to have in our employ, from the CEO, Senior Leadership, and operations staff, that truly make the difference every day in helping the residents, family, and friends we serve. We thank each of our staff for their dedication and service, and extend this thank you to the volunteers from our community for your support.

Sincerely,
Camilla Benoit
Chair of the Board of Directors

View the Annual Progress Reports for the RK MacDonald Nursing Home below: