Board of Directors 2011/2012

guspalombi   Augusto (Gus) P. Palombi, President ~ Augusto P. Palombi is a lawyer engaged in a general law practice in the City of Sault Ste. Marie with the Palombi Law Office. He graduated from the University of Toronto Law School in 1976. He had previously obtained an Honours B.A. (Economics) from Waterloo Lutheran University (1972) and attended graduate school at Queen's University (1972-1973) prior to attending law school. Augusto was born in Italy and emigrated to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada in 1956. Augusto joined the Board of the Sault Area Hospital foundation in 2001. Augusto and his wife Kathryn, have three children.
normsauve   Norm Sauve, Vice-President ~ Norm Sauvé is retired from Royal Bank of Canada after 30 years of service. He and wife Elaine enjoy spending precious family time with their children Jocelyne and Michelle and two granddaughters Alyssandra and Aiva. Prior to joining the Foundation Board, Norm served on the Foundation's Board of Directors since September 1996.
pavoni   Cheryl Pavoni, Treasurer ~ Having worked with the Foundation since 1988, in all areas of fundraising, Cheryl is the veteran of the team. As the Executive Director, she is responsible for developing, implementing and managing a comprehensive development program that ensures the Foundation maximizes its fundraising potential. In 2007, Cheryl, along with the Foundation team and an enthusiastic group of volunteers, completed the largest fundraising campaign the city of Sault Ste. Marie and District has ever seen raising $26.6 million to equip the new Hospital. Cheryl is very proud to have been part of this legacy that will live on for generations to come.
gagnon   Ron Gagnon, Secretary ~ Ron Gagnon is President and CEO of the Sault Area Hospital. Ron joined the SAH in April 2001 bringing his experience in both public service and competitive industry in both administrative and operational leadership capacities. Prior to joining the SAH, he spent 6 years as a senior executive with the largest water services organization in Canada. Ron joined the SAH as Vice President of Finance and prior to becoming CEO was the Senior Vice President and CFO accountable for Finance, Information Technology, Logistics, Clinical Support Services and Environmental Services. He also served as the interim President & CEO in 2004 and 2006. Mr. Gagnon is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University. He is a native of Sault Ste Marie, has served on various Boards of public organizations and is currently a Board member at Sault College.
mcclelland   Velma McClelland ~ Since retiring from ON Hydro, Velma has become a Volunteer Extraordinaire. For the past nine years she has been volunteering her time and skills in a number of areas for the Sault Area Hospital. Previously, Velma volunteered with the Emergency Departments when they were located at both the General and Plummer Sites. For the past nine years she has been volunteering with the Hospital's Day Surgery Department and with the Orthopedic Clinic for five of those nine years. Aside from serving in her role as a Foundation Board Member, Velma is Treasurer for the SAH Volunteer Association, Raffle Trust Account and Coffee Kiosks. As a "back up" for the Plummer Site's Break Open Ticket table, Velma helps out with their ticket sales on occasion. When not volunteering, Velma enjoys spending time with her 3 children and four grandchildren.
prouse   Robert Prouse ~ Robert Prouse is President of Prouse Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd. and has lived in Sault Ste. Marie for most of his life. He has several years of experience working on the United Way annual campaign as well as fund raising efforts that have taken place at Central United Church. He looks forward to helping make a difference in the health care field in Sault Ste. Marie. Robert and his wife, Bev, have three children and they are actively involved in hockey, figure skating, soccer and gymnastics. They enjoy skiing and camping and think there is no better place to be than Sault Ste. Marie.
stefanizzi   Gabe Stefanizzi ~ Gabe Stefanizzi is a Partner with BDO Dunwoody LLP Chartered Accountants and Advisors practicing public accounting in Sault Ste. Marie. He has been with BDO since 1990. He graduated from Brock University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Accounting and continued his studies to become a Chartered Accountant receiving his designation in 1995. Previously, he has served as Treasurer of the Bishop Alexander Carter Foundation and Safe Communities Partnership. Currently, he sits on the Finance Committee of the St. Gerard Majella Parish, the 2008 OHL All-Star Committee and is an advisor for the Diocese of SSM Economic Affairs Council. Gabe and his wife Patricia have two children - Brianna and Sierra.
dunn   Terry Ragnitz ~ Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. Terry lives on Pine Island with her two teenage daughters where she enjoys swimming, boating and gardening. She is employed at Community First Credit Union as the Manager of the Wealth Management Department. She is an Investment Advisor, dually employed with Credential Securities and the Credit Union. She is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Certified Seniors Advisor (CSA). Terry has also served on the Board of Directors for Big Sisters, Credit Counseling, United Way Fundraising Campaign, and a member of school council for seven years. Terry looks forward to providing service and expertise on the SAHF Board of Directors.

 

    

 

2 Vacancies

 

  

 
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Debbie Sullivan ~ Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie.
Debbie has 20 years experience in the retail sector as the owner/manager of Construction Equipment Co/Pro Motion Power Sports. Last two years have been consulting in Business Management. Debbie has held various volunteer positions throughout her life.
She is looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors for the SAH Foundation with her business experience and passion to assist with healthcare for Sault Ste. Marie. Debbie has a large dose of compassion for both patients and healthcare workers. She has two children Sara and Nathan now both adults and she is happily retired with her husband, Pat Sullivan.

 

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    Emily Thibeault ~ Emily has been employed in the financial services industry for the past 15 years and most recently the past 7 years in the commercial banking sector.  Emily is presently employed with Northern Credit Union as the Commercial Account Manager.  She also serves as a board member on the Chamber of Commerce, and Crime Stoppers.  Giving of myself to ensure that Sault Ste. Marie is a great place to reside is one of my personal goals.  Emily treasures family time with husband, Scott and children, Kyle and Jennifer.

 

  

Dr. Janice Willett ~ Dr. Willett has extensive experience as a physician leader, through her work as the President of the Ontario Medical Association in 2007-2008 and a member of its Board of Directors for several years. She has had a major interest in physician human resource issues for the last decade and was a member of the Expert Panel chaired by Dr Peter George.  Dr. Willett was instrumental in the inclusion of an Academic Alternative Funding Plan for our faculty in the current OMA/MOHLTC Agreement and participated in the negotiations establishing the governance agreement required to implement the plan. 

She lives in Sault Ste Marie where she practices as an Gynecologist. 

 

* Photographs by Brian Tremblay