Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation Donor Report 2017 Donor Report 2017 | Page 6

The Paletta Family
Leads by Example
and others, the Paletta family was
learning about the change in process
and culture underway at Joseph Brant
Hospital, and the impact it was having
on care and staff morale.
“As a family, we would not be putting
our dollars here if we didn’t believe that
change was happening,” Angelo said.
“I’m telling you firsthand that there is
change for the better.”
The adoption of the LEAN principles of
management, and Kaizen sessions where
staff can provide feedback and ideas to
management, provided an understanding
of the open lines of communication, and
the corporate and personal commitment
to making positive changes.
Since arriving in Burlington in 1964 to start their family and their business, Pasquale
and Anita Paletta have quietly, and without renown, been committed to making a
difference in their community. The family has always been driven by results, and for
Pasquale the two most important things are his family, and his community.
As the four Paletta sons, Angelo, Remi,
Paul and Michael grew up in the family
business, they learned directly from their
parents, and have taken on their beliefs
of pride, honour, integrity and giving
back. The family had been approached
to support Joseph Brant Hospital in the
past, but being results-driven, making a
donation didn’t feel right at the time.
“Based on our own past experiences,
the long wait times, the look and feel
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Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation
of the facility, and the poor morale of
the staff the hospital didn’t meet our
expectations,” said Angelo. “Well,
that has changed. The hospital is on
a new path, with a new direction and
new efficient facility with more modern
equipment and the timing was right for
us to give back.”
In September 2016, the Paletta Family
announced the Pasquale and Anita
Paletta Family Match Challenge. Through
“While in the ICU, I noticed the board
in the hallway with multiple green sticky
notes with suggestions from staff, and
responses from management as to what
has been implemented, and what was
still being reviewed,” said Angelo. “Staff
and management are listening to each
other, and morale is improving.”
this challenge to the community, the
family is matching all donations, up to $5
Million. When fully realized, the match
challenge would see the Our New Era
Campaign reach the $60 Million goal. During tours of the existing hospital,
and through their own experiences it
was clear to the Paletta family that the
existing hospital was too old, and that
our aging community needs a better
hospital close to home.
The Paletta family was inspired by the
changes they saw first-hand, and the
experiences and changes underway
at the hospital. Through many
conversations with JBH President and
CEO Eric Vandewall, physician leadership “Now is the time to provide the
community with the best hospital, the
best equipment for doctors and nurses
and staff to do their jobs,” said Angelo.
“The exciting thing is that the doctors,
nurses, and staff want to help and want
to make our hospital better. I’ve seen it
and I’ve heard it.”
“Let’s be realistic. No one wants to come
to the hospital for a vacation, even for
a few days. Deep down inside, in the
back our minds we want to know that
if we need the hospital for ourselves, or
a loved one, the facility, the equipment
and the staff are there, ready, willing and
able. And we are asking you to please
help us get to the finish line.”
“As a family, we
would not be
putting our dollars
here if we didn’t
believe that change
was happening.”
Donor Report 2016-2017
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