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Wednesday, January 10, 2007 · Page 12 Harrow Family Health Team: A community success story BY ANDY COMBER A new medical centre will become a reality in Harrow in 2007, thanks to the support of the local residents, businesses, government and community. "It will be an exciting New Year for health care in Harrow and Colchester South," said Brian Gray, administrative manager for the Harrow Family Health Team, speaking of the progress on the new medical facility. "Working together with the provincial Ministry of Health, we will expand the delivery of primary care in this new model, the Family Health Team (FHT)," he said. Gray said the mild winter weather and the co-operation of the trades working on the project have kept the construction on schedule for a spring opening. On June 2, 2006, the Harrow FHT kicked off their fundraising campaign, with a goal of raising $1.2 million. "We are nearing our goal," said Larry Pollard, chair of the Harrow FHT fundraising committee, who announced a year-end total of $1,030,000 in donations and pledges for the project. "We have asked for support and the community has "I am here in Harrow for the long term," said Dr. Chand. The 43-year-old physician immigrated to Canada in early 2003 and completed her two-year medical residency at Toronto Western Hospital. "I am definitely looking forward to working with the people of this community," she said. In October 2006, the Harrow community welcomed Dr. Heidi Yeung, a family physician who has made a commitment to work with the Harrow FHT until May. "As we proceed to opening in May 2007, we will be adding more allied health professionals to deliver more services to our patients," said Gray. "We will be recruiting more doctors and nurse practitioners on a full- and part- For a better community ­ Mild weather has helped speed construction of the Harrow Family Medical Centre, located just off Erie Street South in Harrow. The clinic is expected to open in May 2007. responded," he said. The Harrow FHT is also working diligently to bring health care professionals to the Harrow and Colchester South community, which is located in the centre of one of the poorest physician populations in Ontario. Gray was pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Pavan Chand to the Harrow FHT. Originally from India, Dr. Chand brings many years of experience in health care to the community and has achieved the qualifications to practice family medicine in Canada or the United States. time basis." "Our Family Health Team will include a pharmacist, a dietician, counsellors, educators and others," he said. In addition, Gray said other health care providers such as the Community Care Centres, the Access Canadian Mental Health Association, and many more, would be encouraged to use the Harrow facility to expand their services in the community. "We are accepting new patients now and we encourage our many residents who are without a family doctor to consider enrolling to our Family Health Team," said Gray. In April 2005, Essex MPP Bruce Crozier announced Harrow as the site for a family health team, one of 52 selected by the provincial government at that time. Hockey Day in Canada salutes hockey volunteers It's the best game you can name. Just ask Stompin' Tom Connors and every Canadian from British Columbia clear through to Newfoundland. Each person will most certainly agree: the good old hockey game is the best game you can name. And, if you're in Canada, there's always a good old hockey game being played--whether it is in a local arena, a backyard rink, on a local pond or on the neighbourhood street. These are the places where the heart and soul of Canada's great frozen game can be found. But if you search a bit further at these very same places, you will also find the backbone of Canada's sport--the tireless hockey volunteer. "Wanna see tough?" asks CBC's Don Cherry. "Go to your local rink on any night of the week or during any weekend, and check out those volunteers who are freezing their rear ends off inside the arena for hours on end--all in the name of hockey. Now that's what I call tough!" Ron MacLean, host of CBC's Hockey Day in Canada, for once agrees with Grapes. "It is easy to recognize players for their efforts because we see the fruits of their labour on the ice," says MacLean. "With volunteers, however, all of their work happens behind-the-scenes where no one really notices. From selling 50/50 tickets, to flooding the pond, to coaching nine months out of the year--without volunteers the game of hockey simply would not be played in this country." CBC's Hockey Day in Canada, Canada's unofficial hockey holiday, will be honouring hockey volunteers as part of its seventh annual broadcast celebration on Jan. 13, 2007. The 13.5 hour-long broadcast on CBC will feature individuals and communities sharing their hockey stories on a national stage, along with coverage of Canadian NHL and amateur hockey games. There are also special community events and an online auction, which can be found at cbc.ca/hockeyday. This year, Don Cherry and Ron MacLean are asking all Canadians to participate and to salute hockey volunteers in every community. "If there's one day that we should be honouring our volunteers, it's on Hockey Day," states Cherry. "On Jan. 13, get out to your local rink, support minor hockey and Join Curves now and get 30% off the service fee, plus your first 30 days free. Discover how 30 minutes is all it takes to get a total body workout with our total support. Essex (519) 776-8660 316 Talbot St. N. curves.com Kingsville (519) 733-4524 25 Main St. W. Leamington (519) 322-5370 254 Oak St. E. Over 10,000 locations worldwide. *Offer based on first visit enrollment, minimum 12 mo. c.d. program. New members only. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at participating locations. ©2006 Curves International thank your volunteers. Then get home to watch Hockey Day on CBC, and whatever you do--don't miss Coach's Corner!" So, what are you doing for Hockey Day? Cherry and MacLean have provided the following 10 ways you can celebrate on Jan. 13, 2007: 1. Volunteer at your local rink--and give a full-time volunteer the day off! 2. Organize a game of shinny at your backyard rink, neighbourhood street or community arena 3. Tell the story about your top hockey volunteer at cbc.ca/hockeyday 4. Work on your shot with your mother, father, son, daughter, sister or brother 5. Watch a minor hockey league game at your local arena 6. Make a donation to your local minor hockey association or buy 50/50 tickets at a minor hockey game 7. Teach a friend how to skate 8. Organize a community Hockey Day in Canada party 9. Participate in an online chat with Kelly Hrudey and Drew Remenda or share your plans for Hockey Day with everyone across the country at cbc.ca/hockeyday 10. Gather your friends and family together to watch CBC's Hockey Day in Canada Hockey fans can catch Ron MacLean and Don Cherry on CBC's Hockey Day in Canada on CBC Television, Jan. 13, 2007, beginning at 12 p.m. ET.