Media Releases

NEWS RELEASE
March 9, 2005

Executive Director Appointed to The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

CHATHAM-KENT: Although the title, ‘Executive Director’ for the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance may be new to healthcare, Michele Grzebien, appointee to the position, certainly isn’t!

This week, The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Board of Directors appointed Ms. Michele Grzebien as Executive Director to The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

Ms. Grzebien has extensive educational training in Broadcast Communication, Administrative Studies and Fundraising. She’s been employed with the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance as the Sr. Development Officer since its inception in 1998. Throughout that seven year tenure, Michele has been an integral part of all fundraising efforts which includes the $20 million dollar “Your Health, Your Future” campaign, and more recently, the “Future’s In Sight” Ophthalmology campaign. Prior to her seven years with the Foundation, Michele held previous positions such as Executive Director for the Lung Association of Chatham-Kent, Fundraising Co-ordinator for the WISH Centre and Director of Development for the Lester B. Pearson Centre.

“We’re excited to appoint Michele Grzebien to this leadership role for the Foundation,” said Foundation Board Chair, Fraser Burgess. “Michele has shown tremendous professionalism, has built great relations with donors and has extensive knowledge of the Chatham-Kent community. I believe Michele is amongst the best her field … in the driver’s seat, we are confident that Michele will continue to direct the Foundation down the road to even greater successes.”

In addition to her Fundraising expertise, Michele has been an active participant with professional organizations such as The Canadian Association of Gift Planners, The Association of Health Care Philanthropy, and The Association of Fund Raising Professionals. Her volunteer involvement as a Director on the Sunrise Rotary Club and other past volunteer roles with various groups exemplifies Michele’s desire to make a difference across Chatham-Kent.

“I’m delighted to be appointed Executive Director for The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance”, said Ms. Grzebien. “In this new role my goals are to build new community relationships, strive for excellence in healthcare philanthropy and to advocate on behalf of and provide strong leadership to an organization that faces ongoing healthcare challenges each and every day – goals that I’m certain will be achieved by the best healthcare fundraising professionals that I work with daily – my team!”

The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is a registered charity. Its primary purpose is to enhance the quality of health care available to the citizens of Chatham-Kent by raising funds and other resources in support of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

Michele replaces Tom McCarthy, who is retiring as President of the Foundation.

For more information contact:
Fraser Burgess, Board Chair
The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
519- 436-2538

• digital photograph available