CAC In Conversation Part 1: Bennett & Albert County Healthcare Foundation's Phyllis Hudson & Robert Rochon
Submitted by: Melody Land, CAC Coordinator
Submitted by: Melody Land, CAC Coordinator
The Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation has been steadily and consistently supporting the health and wellness of rural Albert County since 1974 and is a major sponsor of Connecting Albert County. As is explained on the BACH Foundation website (www.bachFoundation.com/history), Judge Albert Watson Bennett was born in Hopewell Cape in 1864, and throughout his career, he became acutely aware of the inequalities in health services. He made a significant bequest in his will to the Albert County Hospital, which was given in 1973 following his wife’s passing. The “Friends of the Albert County Hospital Inc” was established to receive and manage gifts and bequests, and as the healthcare world changed, so did this organization. Over twenty years later, the efforts of this organization culminated with the incorporation of the Bennett and Albert County Hospital Foundation as a registered charity.
The name of the organization has changed in more recent years to reflect the changing healthcare demographic, and name of the Albert County Hospital, now called the Albert County Community Health Centre (ACCHC). Today the Foundation administers all funds which are generated through the principal donation from Judge Bennett and other donations/investment income. The BACH Foundation may have been more traditionally known for providing “big purchases” such as multi-thousand-dollar equipment for the Health Centre, but you can see their fingerprints on all kinds of services, equipment, and opportunities that contribute to the health and wellness of Albert County residents. Youth literacy and sporting programs, school breakfast programs, community wellness programs, specialized training for healthcare professionals, and health-related equipment for a variety of organizations are all places you can see the contributions of this organization.
I had an opportunity to sit down with Robert (Bob) Rochon, the Chairperson of BACH and Phyllis Hudson, the Vice Chair, to learn more about them and talk about the Foundation. I was able to walk away with a deeper understanding of the organization, it’s adaptability to changing community needs and services, and an appreciation for the people who have been a part of this organization over the years that have provided stable and dedicated leadership, fiscal prudence, and forward thinking within the community, and for the community.
I had an opportunity to sit down with Robert (Bob) Rochon, the Chairperson of BACH and Phyllis Hudson, the Vice Chair, to learn more about them and talk about the Foundation. I was able to walk away with a deeper understanding of the organization, it’s adaptability to changing community needs and services, and an appreciation for the people who have been a part of this organization over the years that have provided stable and dedicated leadership, fiscal prudence, and forward thinking within the community, and for the community.
Image of Robert "Bob" Rochon, Chairperson of BACH Foundation retrieved from www.bachfoundation.com Neither Bob nor Phyllis are strangers to the community, both having dedicated many years and much effort to their communities. Bob served through the RCMP in our district for many years, as well as holding public office, and volunteering for a wide range of charitable organizations. Bob reports having been the Chairperson for a little over a year (closer to two years by the date of this publication) but having started his involvement over 10 years ago when he was conscripted by a serving board member to help with their annual golf tournament. Bob chuckles in our conversation, “And, well, I’ve been there ever since!”.
“I have been involved in volunteerism for a long, long time, probably most of my adult life. Whether it was coaching minor hockey, or on the Canadian Mental Health Association board or other various boards over the years. I donate my time to [this] organization because I believe in the work that the board, the Foundation, and the Community Health Centre does. The Foundation supports health care related programs and initiatives in the community, which I think is important. We provide educational bursaries for young people wanting to pursue an education in the healthcare field, and, of course, purchase much needed medical equipment to ensure we provide the best healthcare possible for our residents. I [also] believe that if you want to ensure that things get done, then you get involved. And that's why I have been involved, and I will remain involved until I'm told that my services are no longer required. For me, it's important.”
He further shares that “It was at our insistence [that Phyllis join the board], because of her previous involvement as an ex officio member. We welcomed her with open arms to become a board member [shortly after she retired]. It wasn't long after that that she accepted the nomination to become the Vice Chair of the Foundation. We're really excited to have Phyllis as part of our team!”
“I have been involved in volunteerism for a long, long time, probably most of my adult life. Whether it was coaching minor hockey, or on the Canadian Mental Health Association board or other various boards over the years. I donate my time to [this] organization because I believe in the work that the board, the Foundation, and the Community Health Centre does. The Foundation supports health care related programs and initiatives in the community, which I think is important. We provide educational bursaries for young people wanting to pursue an education in the healthcare field, and, of course, purchase much needed medical equipment to ensure we provide the best healthcare possible for our residents. I [also] believe that if you want to ensure that things get done, then you get involved. And that's why I have been involved, and I will remain involved until I'm told that my services are no longer required. For me, it's important.”
He further shares that “It was at our insistence [that Phyllis join the board], because of her previous involvement as an ex officio member. We welcomed her with open arms to become a board member [shortly after she retired]. It wasn't long after that that she accepted the nomination to become the Vice Chair of the Foundation. We're really excited to have Phyllis as part of our team!”
Image of Phyllis Hudson, Vice Chairperson of BACH Foundation retrieved from www.bachfoundation.com Phyllis retired as the manager of the Albert County Community Health Centre in 2022 after 40 years of service. She reports that “even though you retire, I don’t think you ever fully retire from the health centre, but I just wanted a year off, just to think and relax - which didn't fully happen!” and this is evident in her returning to work in different capacities in 2023 and serving on the BACH Foundation Board since then. She acted as an ex officio board member for years prior through the health centre which provides invaluable “insider knowledge” as she continues her lifelong journey of helping others.
“There's history, because I'm from the area. I'm originally from Cape Enrage, and I made a big transition, moving from there to Hopewell Hill! That was quite a trip! I wanted to continue [helping others] after I retired; I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I like to see [our area] improve and whatever I can do for the health centre, to improve the services and recognition. My heart has always been with the Foundation, and health centre. We were one of the first six centres that were created as a community health centre. We were all very proud of that, because it meant a lot to the community and to those working in the building.”
Community relationship is central to Phyllis’s passion for serving on the Foundation Board, which is evident when she says “I think [that it was] good opportunity to work with people that I already know. The relationships [were already] there with the health centre. With my work with the Foundation, I can continue that relationship and maybe make the mountain move a little bit. Most of my life has been invested in this [healthcare in the community and the BACH Foundation]. It's been a slow retirement, but it's been good transition.”
“There's history, because I'm from the area. I'm originally from Cape Enrage, and I made a big transition, moving from there to Hopewell Hill! That was quite a trip! I wanted to continue [helping others] after I retired; I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I like to see [our area] improve and whatever I can do for the health centre, to improve the services and recognition. My heart has always been with the Foundation, and health centre. We were one of the first six centres that were created as a community health centre. We were all very proud of that, because it meant a lot to the community and to those working in the building.”
Community relationship is central to Phyllis’s passion for serving on the Foundation Board, which is evident when she says “I think [that it was] good opportunity to work with people that I already know. The relationships [were already] there with the health centre. With my work with the Foundation, I can continue that relationship and maybe make the mountain move a little bit. Most of my life has been invested in this [healthcare in the community and the BACH Foundation]. It's been a slow retirement, but it's been good transition.”
The Foundation’s Origin Story
Bob shares a powerful story with me, outlining the life of Hopewell Cape resident, judge Albert Watson Bennett. “Judge Bennett went to law school in Dorchester, New Brunswick, and was eventually assigned as a judge of the county of Westmorland. During his time on the bench, Judge Bennett saw the inequality that existed in healthcare and wanted to do something about it. He left a sizable bequest in his will to dedicate to healthcare because of those inequalities. In 1974 The Friends of the Albert County Hospital Inc was organized as a Foundation to administer gifts and bequests. Following the closure of the Albert County Hospital and transition to a community health centre, the Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation was formed to manage Judge Bennett's bequest on the to the benefit of Area Health Care Services. The Foundation, now, administers funds which include judge Bennett's original bequest, memorial donations, and resources raised through fundraising, to the benefit of health care services in the Albert County Community Health Centre catchment area.”
Phyllis adds more context to the origin story: “the purpose of the Foundation has not changed since the will bequeathed the substantial amount of money to the hospital. It's still there to benefit the health care of the people in the area. That has not changed. We've gone through a few name changes but as the transition happened, the Foundation made the decision to transition with them.”
The central premise proposed by Judge Bennett remains true, and it is very it's simple - healthcare equality for all rural residents - but seeing the many forms and changes the Foundation had to navigate shows the complexity of actioning that premise. Reviewing their website documents, and doing a little sleuth work on my own, I was able to map a common through line - as times, best practices, services offered at the Health Centre, and community needs/demographics have changed, BACH has quite quickly adjusted the concepts and their considerations of what is included in the umbrella term of “health care” and what is considered contributing to the “health and wellness of the community members at large”.
“It's not to say there weren't challenges, because there were!” Phyllis reminisces, “A few mindsets had to be altered to move forward with the times. But as the building itself, the Centre, went through many changes it helped keep people around the table that were willing to actually step forward and go with it. It worked out wonderfully.”
Bob shares a powerful story with me, outlining the life of Hopewell Cape resident, judge Albert Watson Bennett. “Judge Bennett went to law school in Dorchester, New Brunswick, and was eventually assigned as a judge of the county of Westmorland. During his time on the bench, Judge Bennett saw the inequality that existed in healthcare and wanted to do something about it. He left a sizable bequest in his will to dedicate to healthcare because of those inequalities. In 1974 The Friends of the Albert County Hospital Inc was organized as a Foundation to administer gifts and bequests. Following the closure of the Albert County Hospital and transition to a community health centre, the Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation was formed to manage Judge Bennett's bequest on the to the benefit of Area Health Care Services. The Foundation, now, administers funds which include judge Bennett's original bequest, memorial donations, and resources raised through fundraising, to the benefit of health care services in the Albert County Community Health Centre catchment area.”
Phyllis adds more context to the origin story: “the purpose of the Foundation has not changed since the will bequeathed the substantial amount of money to the hospital. It's still there to benefit the health care of the people in the area. That has not changed. We've gone through a few name changes but as the transition happened, the Foundation made the decision to transition with them.”
The central premise proposed by Judge Bennett remains true, and it is very it's simple - healthcare equality for all rural residents - but seeing the many forms and changes the Foundation had to navigate shows the complexity of actioning that premise. Reviewing their website documents, and doing a little sleuth work on my own, I was able to map a common through line - as times, best practices, services offered at the Health Centre, and community needs/demographics have changed, BACH has quite quickly adjusted the concepts and their considerations of what is included in the umbrella term of “health care” and what is considered contributing to the “health and wellness of the community members at large”.
“It's not to say there weren't challenges, because there were!” Phyllis reminisces, “A few mindsets had to be altered to move forward with the times. But as the building itself, the Centre, went through many changes it helped keep people around the table that were willing to actually step forward and go with it. It worked out wonderfully.”
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