Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Santana Campanale, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
It’s not every day — or any day, really — that the average person gets to deliver a baby, perform laparoscopic suturing and advanced airway intubation, and revive a stranger in cardiac arrest through a series of chest compressions.
Yet, a group of emerging leaders found themselves in these very scenarios during a memorable evening Wednesday at the Skills and Simulation Centre, located on the grounds of The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus.
Sure, they were practicing on high-tech mannequins and in simulated training scenarios, but the stakes still felt real for those who participated.
The region’s largest hospital hosted the gathering to engage its next generation of supporters. Sponsoring the Next Gen program is RBC Royal Bank, represented by its director of real estate, Kevin Landreville, along with several of his colleagues.
In 2023, RBC unveiled a $2.25 million gift to The Ottawa Hospital — its largest-ever donation in the region — to support education and skills development for healthcare professionals. Present for that announcement was bank president and CEO Dave McKay.
Said Landreville: “I grew up in this city, my kids were born at this hospital, and my brother is actually a physician in the emergency room at both the Civic and General campuses. I understand how important The Ottawa Hospital is in transforming healthcare in this city.”
From left, RBC’s Rachel Allan , Kevin Landreville and Daniel Thiruganaratnapathy, Dr. Glenn Posner, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Kelly Goulet, RBC’s Karl Quinn, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Alaina Cichocki, campaign volunteer leader Ginger Bertrand, and The Ottawa Hospital’s Tim Kluke at the Skills and Simulation Centre for a Next Gen event in support of The Ottawa Hospital. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Guests were welcomed by Alaina Cichocki, senior development officer of philanthropy at The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, and award-winning entrepreneur Ginger Bertrand, co-chair of the community campaign to raise $500-million toward the new Civic Campus redevelopment. The project involves the construction of a new state-of-the-art health care facility that will enhance patient care, accommodate a growing population, and support The Ottawa Hospital’s role as a leading research and teaching hospital. The new development will include advanced medical facilities, research spaces, and modern patient care areas.
Bertrand spoke of how the Next Gen program is helping the hospital to broaden its network of passionate young leaders who care about the city. “We’re not just fundraising for bricks and mortar; we’re actually laying the foundation for the kind of care we want for ourselves, our parents, our children, and our future children,” said Bertrand, president at GAB Group and co-founder of Neue Theory Wellness Corp.
She reminded the room that everyone who can help should pitch in. “The Campaign to Create Tomorrow can’t be left to a handful of major donors. We need the full force of the community: young people, emerging leaders, families, businesses and friends stepping up and speaking out. Now is the time to rally, now is the time to bring others in, and now is the time to say, ‘This matters to me’.”
Ginger Bertrand is one of the Ottawa business leaders co-chairing The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s $500-million Campaign to Create Tomorrow. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Guests also heard how Jill Barr, a survivor of childhood cancer, previously underwent radiation treatment at The Ottawa Hospital General Campus, when she was little. She recalled being nervous about visiting the “big, scary” adult hospital. Her concerns “melted away” once she arrived and received a “super warm welcome” from the doctors and nurses. They even provided her with a toy PlasmaCar to race down the hall, to her treatment room.
Barr and her Ottawa Race Weekend running team have been raising funds for The Ottawa Hospital. It’s her way of recognizing the “amazing team of doctors, nurses and specialists who have supported me along the way.
“To me, showing gratitude isn’t just about saying ‘thank you’ but, more importantly, it’s about taking action,” said the sales representative with Royal LePage Team Realty.
Jill Barr shared her personal connection to The Ottawa Hospital and the reason she’s raising funds for the hospital during the upcoming Ottawa Race Weekend. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Dr. Glenn Posner, director of The Ottawa Hospital’s Simulation Patient Safety Program and the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre, was on hand to welcome everyone to the safe learning event, which also offered up food and drinks. He was joined by Dr. Shireen Hussein, nurse and simulation educator Jennifer Dale-Tam and respiratory therapist Shannon Kamp.
The healthcare professionals guided the guests through the simulated training scenarios, which involved groups working together to save a life. We’re happy to report that their respective patients all pulled through.
Not only that, but the groups sprang into action while belting out the disco classic Stayin’ Alive, considered the perfect song for hitting the correct beats per minute required for chest compressions. Afterward, debriefings were held, allowing participants to discuss the simulated medical emergencies together.
As well, several guests helped to bring a healthy baby into this world, using a patient simulator. While there was no passing of the cigars, the moment was marked by the placing of a hand-knitted cap, made by Dr. Posner’s wife, on the newborn mannequin.
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including RBC’s Daniel Thiruganaratnapathy, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program learned suturing techniques at the Skills and Simulation Centre on the grounds of The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Campaign to Create Tomorrow co-chair Ginger Bertrand, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Gowling WLG lawyer Andrea Pitts, left, had opportunity to mingle during their visit to the Skills and Simulation Centre on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Jordana Vered, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Muna Adan, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations, including the delivery of babies. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Scott Mazzotta, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Laine Crepeau, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations, including the delivery of babies. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Stefano Taucer, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Stefano Taucer, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Troy McCarney, listen carefully while Dr. Shireen Hussein teaches them how to suture. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including RBC’s Rachel Allan, participated in simulation exercises replicating the challenges of real-life situations. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Leaders with The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Next Gen program, including Alexandra Vered, participated in simulation exercises, including laparoscopic suturing. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Participants celebrate after saving the life of their high-tech mannequin, whom they dubbed Karl — also the name of Karl Quinn, left, vice president of real estate markets and business financial services at RBC. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada and First Avenue Investment Counsel.