Behind every successful Foundation Board of Directors is a team of passionate community members who give their time, expertise, and heart. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome three new directors to our Board, each with their own story of why healthcare close to home is so important.

Meet our newest Board members: Wendy Anderson, Jane Feltz, and Fred Lehmann, and discover what motivates them to support our community and its health.

Wendy Anderson

Wendy is a life-long resident of Perth County, having grown up in the St Marys area, and now residing on a farm in Perth East for the past 47 years.  She has a degree in English literature from Wilfred Laurier University and worked in the advertising department of The Beacon Herald before starting a family, which now includes three children and two grandchildren.

Wendy performs record keeping for the family farm and enjoys transporting her grandchildren to their activities, allowing the farm operations to continue smoothly.

She has served three terms, including four years as Chairperson, on the Perth County Board of Education and Avon Maitland District School Board, and one term on municipal council for Perth East.  Wendy also served as President of the Rotary Club of Stratford ten years ago. These experiences have given her valuable insight into the processes that support thoughtful and effective decision-making around a board table.

Why is supporting local healthcare important to you?

“As we go through life, our use of the local hospital changes.  Raising children, visiting the Emergency Department, supporting friends and family with health challenges and caring for aging parents all change how we see it.  I've come to appreciate the importance of having services available locally.  It is also vital that the HPHA – Stratford General Hospital remains an attractive place to work, with top-notch technology, so that skilled doctors and staff choose to be here.  We all benefit from their expertise, and someday, we will all need the hospital - hopefully later rather than sooner.  When that times comes, we will want it to be there for us.”

What excites you about the future of healthcare in our community?

“After the success of the recent capital campaign, I am confident that the future of healthcare has been embraced by our whole community.”

What do you enjoy doing (hobbies, interests, volunteer work)?

“As I said previously, one of the things that I enjoy most of all is supporting our grandchildren as their activities and interests have developed.  They are the 4th generation of our family to be involved in the 4-H program (my husband and daughter are both club leaders) so Stratford Fall Fair is a busy time for us.  We are also a family of curlers so it has been fun to watch their skills develop.

Perhaps my biggest hobby, and my husband will say most expensive, is quilting.  Some people might wonder why someone would cut up fabric just to sew it back together again. After all, you can always buy a blanket almost anywhere!  However, I really enjoy choosing the patterns and the colour schemes for my quilts. I have a bit of a competitive streak so I also enjoy showing my work at fairs and quilt shows when I am not giving them away for special occasions or fundraisers. I have been pleased to have three quilts accepted in the Quilt Canada National Juried Show over the years, which is pretty much the ultimate compliment in my opinion.

I also enjoy singing in our church choir.”

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?

“We have travelled a bit over the years.  Earlier this year we spent six weeks in Australia visiting friends and being tourists the rest of the time. This was certainly our travel highlight to date.  I think we are likely to explore more of Canada over the next while.  Newfoundland and Labrador are on the top of our list.”

How do you see healthcare needs evolving in our community?

“In light of recent government healthcare spending patterns, I believe communities everywhere will increasingly need to take a more active role in helping fund the big ticket items that are needed in our hospitals. We have seen successful fundraising efforts supporting Stratford General Hospital over the years, but the equipment that we bought even just a few years ago has a 'best-before' date, meaning that it will need to be upgraded and/or replaced in the future.  We as a community will have to foot that bill.”  

What does success look like for you in your role as a board member?

“Being new to the Board, I have a lot to learn about what will be needed in the future.  As long as the Board is clear about its priorities, and communicating them to the community, I believe that the community will step up to assist as much as they are able.”

Jane Feltz

Jane Feltz is a retired registered nurse with nearly four decades of experience across multiple areas of healthcare, including the Intensive Care Unit, community nursing, physician offices, and home care coordination. She began her career at Stratford General Hospital and spent the last 22 years of her career as a home care coordinator before retiring in 2022.

After living on a farm between Sebringville and Mitchell since her marriage, Jane recently relocated near Wildwood to pass the farm on to her children. She has been married to Roger for 39 years and is a proud mother of three and Nana to six grandchildren.

What inspired you to join the Stratford General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors?

“After I retired, I spent the next two years caring for my elderly parents at home. With my mom passing in 2023 and my dad in 2024, I had more time and wanted to give back to the community, though I wasn’t sure how. A friend suggested the hospital foundation board and after speaking with Cheryl Hunt, Executive Director, and another board member, I realized it could be a meaningful way to contribute, especially given my career in healthcare.”

Why is supporting local healthcare important to you?

“I believe it is so important to have healthcare close to home, so that a patient has access to the support of friends and family as they navigate their healthcare journey. I feel strongly that the care my family received at the HPHA – Stratford General Hospital was second to none. The physicians, nursing staff and all other health care professionals and support staff were exceptional.”

What excites you about the future of healthcare in our community?

“I have seen our local healthcare options expand over the years. I remember when I started my nursing career in Stratford and patients would have to be transported out of town for things like CT scans. It’s wonderful to know that we have a CT scanner, MRI, new Cancer and Medical Care Clinic and many other services available right here in our community and patients no longer have to be transferred to larger centres as often. It is exciting to see how our community healthcare has expanded and what could possibly be available in the future with the support of our community.”

In your opinion, what makes hospital fundraising different from other types of philanthropy?

“Since joining the Board, I have been in awe of the contributions made by our community and the dedication of our partners. I knew that provincial funding doesn’t cover everything in our healthcare system, but I didn’t realize just how much we rely on the community to fund essential equipment. Hospital fundraising is different from types of philanthropy because access to healthcare touches everyone, whether for ourselves or our loved ones. Supporting the hospital directly impacts people’s lives in a very tangible and immediate way, making every contribution deeply meaningful.”

Do you have a personal connection to Stratford General Hospital or a story that stands out?

“My personal connection to the Stratford General Hospital started at the beginning of my nursing career. I remember my first interview with the Director of Nursing, my first night shift working at the old RECU building and time spent at the hospital when I delivered my children. I have met many amazing people while working at the hospital early in my career, as well as working at CCAC as a Discharge Planner. It’s rewarding to say that I still see some of these people after retirement!

Stratford General Hospital played a role in caring for both of my parents as they aged and struggled with health issues. I am proud of the care they received right here at home where we could support them. My dad was in London for part of his care and I advocated so strongly to return him to our ‘home hospital’ as I was more than confident he could receive the care he needed here.”

Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of the hospital or Foundation?

“Although I wasn’t on the board during the In Our Hands Capital Campaign, the celebration party made me feel proud that I had joined a board that has made such a contribution to our community. I hope that I can help with the next major campaign in the same way!”

What do you enjoy doing (hobbies, interests, volunteer work)?

“I enjoy cycling with my friends, including girls cycling trips, and cross country skiing in the winter. One day, my dream is to travel to Africa and do a safari. At this point I feel like my most important ‘volunteer’ work has been my role as Nana, which I love.”

If you could champion one future project for the hospital, what would it be?

“I understand there may be a need to support a new MRI machine. If this does become a focus, I hope that I can help support reaching that fundraising goal.”

How do you see healthcare needs evolving in our community?

“I think healthcare needs are exploding within our community as our population ages and our government limits how much their contributions can be increased. Fundraising within our own community is going to become even more important.”

Fred Lehmann

Fred Lehmann is a retired communications professional with a 20-year career in radio broadcasting, followed by work in public relations, marketing, and strategic communications. He is a graduate of the Radio and Television program at Seneca College and has also studied marketing at Conestoga College and communications at the University of Waterloo.

Fred and his wife moved to Stratford in 2018 after retiring, and they share their home with Orly, a two-year-old yellow lab. Over the years, they have also fostered guide dogs, reflecting their commitment to community and service.

What inspired you to join the Stratford General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors?

“Upon leaving radio, I spent the rest of my career working with non-profits where I grew to love the importance of giving back to my community.  Also, I love meeting people and joining the Foundation Board – I believe – is great way to continue the skills and passion I used and enjoyed throughout my career.”

Why is supporting local healthcare important to you?

“As I’ve aged, I’ve seen how my parents and family members have benefitted from the healthcare they received as they journeyed through their respective health challenges.”

What excites you about the future of healthcare in our community?

“For me, it’s the advancements that are being made in both research and technology and the impact this has on improving patient care.”

What are you most looking forward to contributing as a director?

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how strategic communications, public relations, and crisis management can strengthen an organization’s identity, build meaningful relationships with the community, and engage supporters. I look forward to applying these skills as a director to help the Stratford General Hospital Foundation connect with the community and support its important work.”

Is there a particular hospital service or area of care that resonates with you personally?

“Mental health and a better understanding of healthcare for seniors.”

What do you love most about this community?

“The creative vibe as well as the preparedness to support any, and all, important and timely causes.”

Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of the hospital or Foundation?

“In June 2022, I attended the launch of the Foundation’s In Our Hands Capital Campaign.  Having worked on previous capital campaigns in my career and still relatively new to Stratford, I felt this was an important fundraising initiative in the community.  I never thought I would attend the campaign success celebration this past August as a member of the Foundation Board.  Only then did I appreciate the significance of the goal and how the community rallied around the hospital and the Foundation.”

What do you enjoy doing (hobbies, interests, volunteer work)?

“I’m an avid golfer, curler and I love photography and cooking.”

What’s the first concert you ever attended?

“Fleetwood Mac, Boz Scaggs and Kenny Loggins at CNE Stadium in Toronto in July, 1977.”

If you could champion one future project for the hospital, what would it be?

“With a growing and younger demographic, perhaps we could focus on access to greater mental health resources.”