PRHF Teams
They say “it takes a village to raise a child” —but it takes an entire community to help make our Foundation as strong as it is! It also takes dedicated teams to help keep us running and on track with our funding and organizational goals.
Learn more about those dedicated teams here:
They say “it takes a village to raise a child” —but it takes an entire community to help make our Foundation as strong as it is! It also takes dedicated teams to help keep us running and on track with our funding and organizational goals.
Learn more about those dedicated teams here:
Board of Directors
Lisa Edmonds
Board Chair
Terry Lussier
Vice Chair
Kim Drake
Treasurer
Dr. Fred Matzinger
Director
Andre Mickovitch
Director
Marsha Hawthorne
Director
Jenny Hodgins
Director
Sabine Mersmann
Director
Rod Sinclair
Director
Our Staff
As Executive Director, Roger reports directly to the Board of Directors, working with the Board and staff to develop and implement the Foundation’s long-term Strategic Plan and annual Business Plan.
Having been in business in the Valley for more than 10 years and also in the Not for profit sector for nearly 10 more. Roger has a knowledge of the history and community that is necessary in the fundraising world.. He currently sits on the Pembroke Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee and in 2020, sat on the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards committee.
Roger and his spouse Sue along with their 3 children, have embraced the Ottawa Valley lifestyle and all it offers. They love to be outdoors, be it swimming at the Cottage, out for dinner on a patio in downtown Pembroke or just relaxing with some family and friends in their back yard.
Leigh joined the Foundation in July of 2020 in the role of Community Fundraising Specialist. She has lived and worked in Pembroke for the past 8 years and has a solid background in community engagement, fundraising, marketing, sales and event management. Leigh most recently worked as a Fundraising Specialist for the Canadian Cancer Society and prior to that worked in a sales role in the Retirement Living and Hotel sectors in Pembroke and Ottawa. What strikes people the most about Leigh is her approachable and caring attitude.
She is a very active volunteer in the community and sits on the Board of Directors for Community Living; the Park’s and Recreation advisory Committee for the City of Pembroke; as well as chair for the Keeping Pembroke Beautiful Committee. Leigh lives in Pembroke with her husband and their 2 dogs. She spends her spare time with her family, walking her dogs, painting and hiking in our many beautiful parks.
Claire joined the Foundation team in 2017 with a background in hospitality, having spent five years at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. She joined the PRH Foundation as the Donor Relations Coordinator, but has now taken on the role of Office Administrator, managing the day-to-day office responsibilities and charitable receipting, that keep the Foundation on track.
Claire lives in Pembroke with her husband and 2 young children and loves living in such a breathtaking area, where so many outdoor activities are available. She finds it very fulfilling to work for an organization that helps the community in such a big way.
Announcing the ‘Together, We Care’ Campaign Chair
Dr. Christy Natsis to chair one of the largest campaigns in the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation’s history
Dr. Christy Natsis
Campaign Cabinet Chair
Congratulations and thank you Christy!
Sabine Mersmann
PRH President/CEO
Roger Martin
Foundation Executive Director
Lisa Edmonds
Board Chair
About the Together We Care Campaign Cabinet
As our population ages, the provincial healthcare system is under strain. Strategic action is needed––today––to keep care strong in Renfrew County. As a centre of excellence for stroke, trauma, childbirth, cancer care, mental health services, and more, Pembroke Regional Hospital offers unique value to the local health network, keepingbest-in-class care close to home, and so the Together We Care Campaign was born!
Objective of Cabinet: This Cabinet will identify prospects within our catchment area, and develop strategies on how to approach these individual donors, with respect in order to achieve the mission of the PRH Foundation. This Cabinet will also generate ideas regarding the updating and evaluating of Donor Recognition programs and forward to the Policies and Procedures Committee for review. This Cabinet will ensure that all key donor groups and represented in order to grow our donor base. This also includes Planned Giving.
By achieving the above we create a Legacy for the Families involved, that they can be proud of for generations to come, while at the same time making sure the equipment funds are available at all times for the highest priority needs of the hospital to assist all front line workers in caring for our families and friends..
PRESS RELEASE – May 21, 2025
PEMBROKE, ONTARIO – Local business leader and long-time Renfrew County resident, Dr. Christy Natsis, will serve as Chair for what is set to be one of the largest capital campaigns in the history of Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH) and Renfrew County. The Together, We Care Campaign will support the funding of advanced technology at PRH to ensure residents in Pembroke and the surrounding communities have access to faster, better, and smarter care close to home.
The announcement was made at the second annual CEO Breakfast held May 15th at the Best Western Pembroke.
“In order to support the enhancement of services, meet the needs of our growing and aging population, and both attract and retain talented physicians and clinical experts, our hospital will need to make a significant investment in new equipment and information systems,” said PRH President and CEO Sabine Mersmann.
This new fundraising campaign, when it is launched in 2026, will help us achieve all of that and more, Mrs. Mersmann said.
PRH Foundation Board Chair Lisa Edmonds introduced Dr. Natsis as Campaign Chair at the breakfast, saying “It’s my pleasure to introduce the Chair of the Together We Care Campaign – a dedicated health care professional and passionate community advocate. Please join me in thanking Dr. Christy Natsis for taking on this role.”
“Dr. Natsis moved to Pembroke from Detroit, Michigan in 1992 to be with her husband, Dr. Bruce Harle. Christy and Bruce were classmates at the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School and, together, they chose to build their future here in the Ottawa Valley – a decision that has deeply shaped both their lives and our community,” Mrs. Edmonds said.
She added that Dr. Natsis has operated a successful dental practice in town for over 30 years and spent more than two decades providing dentistry in the operating room at Pembroke Regional Hospital. She is a proud mother of two daughters and has volunteered on and off with the Foundation since 2004. She currently serves as Chair of the Black and White Gala and is a strong believer in the importance of accessible, local health care.
Dr. Natsis brings a wealth of experience, vision, and dedication to this Campaign Chair position. Her leadership will inspire confidence, energize efforts, and help ensure the goals are reached, and exceeded.
As Chair, she will lead a committed team of volunteers on our Campaign Cabinet, working together to engage community members, businesses, and partners in supporting the future of the Pembroke Regional Hospital. This is about coming together – because together, we truly care!
The Together, We Care Campaign will be more than just a fundraising effort. It will be a bold commitment to strengthening the hospital’s ability to serve the growing and diverse community. Whether it’s through upgraded equipment, expanded services or enhanced patient care, this campaign will touch countless lives.
To keep pace with advances in medical technology, embrace the importance of interconnectivity and efficient partnerships between care providers, put patient safety first, and prepare for the anticipated increase on demands for hospital services, funds raised through the Together, We Care Campaign will be directed towards three critical priorities:
The purchase of a new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner
The implementation of a new integrated health information system (Epic/MyChart) that will fundamentally change the delivery of health care
Investment in new state-of-the-art technology and equipment for many of our hospital’s programs and services
Residents of Renfrew County can expect to hear more about this exciting campaign over the next several years. “In the coming months, Dr. Natsis, with the support of Foundation staff, the Hospital and Foundation Boards, and Committee volunteers, will be working to build the Campaign Cabinet team. I am confident that under her leadership, and given the generosity of our community, this new campaign will succeed.