GORE BAY—It was more than just Canada Day that was being celebrated at Manitoulin Lodge on July 1!

July 1 was also the day that St. Joseph’s Health Centre of Sudbury (SJHC) assumed management of the long-term care home, renamed St. Joseph’s Lodge of Manitoulin Island.

“We are committed to making the transition to the new management as smooth as possible,” said Jaime-Lynn Kalmikov, administrator of St. Joseph’s Lodge. “SJHC has an excellent reputation, and we are looking forward to working with the SJHC team for the benefit of our residents, families, and employees.”

Two of those residents are Joyce Martens and Roy Lumley. Mr. Lumley was a patient of SJHC at the former Clarion site in Sudbury.

“St. Joseph’s is an excellent organization,” explained Mr. Lumley. “The care was exceptional, and the staff was fantastic, like here at St. Joseph’s Lodge. With them taking over, it should be a smooth and easy transition.”

“Welcome to our lovely community,” added Ms. Martens. 

St. Joseph’s Health Centre operates two long-term care homes in Greater Sudbury (St. Joseph’s Villa and Villa St. Gabriel Villa) as well as a two-site rehabilitation hospital in Greater Sudbury, St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre, the only stand-alone facility of its kind in Northeastern Ontario, specializing in rehabilitative services for older adults.

“We are honoured to have St. Joseph’s Lodge as part of the SJHC family, and we want to continue the Lodge’s proud tradition of excellent care for its residents and the Gore Bay and Western Manitoulin community,” said Kari Gervais, SJHC’s president and chief executive officer (CEO). “We are also very excited about the future plans for St. Joseph’s Lodge. We think it is going to be wonderful for this community.”

“For over 75 years, St. Joseph’s Health Centre of Sudbury has proudly served and met the health care needs of Sudbury and the surrounding communities. Today, they’re assuming management of the Manitoulin Lodge Long-Term Care Home. With decades of experience overseeing the operation of two long-term care homes, I know the residents of Manitoulin Lodge and Gore Bay community will be well cared for with this change in management,” said Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta.