MRHA celebrates major healthcare milestones while seeking sustainable funding for future growth
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) is celebrating a year of major accomplishments across its entities while also warning that long-term funding challenges must be addressed to keep pace with rapid population growth across Lanark County and the surrounding region.
The MRHA held their Community Forum and Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Almonte General Hospital (AGH), where healthcare leaders, elected officials, staff, volunteers and community members gathered to discuss the future of local healthcare under the theme Caring for a Growing Community: The Financial Reality of Local Healthcare.
According to a release issued by MRHA on Wednesday, June 24, the annual gathering highlighted what MRHA officials described as one of their most transformative years, with significant achievements across AGH, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH), Fairview Manor and Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS).
Among the year’s most notable milestones was the completion of the first full year of CT scanner operations at AGH, allowing thousands of patients to receive advanced diagnostic imaging closer to home and eliminating the need for many residents to travel outside the region for care.
At CPDMH, the Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department continued serving the growing community following its landmark opening in January this year, according to the release. The hospital also achieved a National Echocardiography Accreditation to recognize the quality of its cardiac diagnostic services.
Additional praise came from Choosing Wisely Canada and Canadian Blood Services, which named CPDMH a “Using Blood Wisely Hospital.” Meanwhile, AGH received an Ontario Health recognition for its leadership in organ and tissue donation notification practices.
The LCPS also marked a major milestone this year, celebrating its 25th anniversary of service. In their release, the MRHA noted the other community-based healthcare programs that are continuing to expand, including Community Paramedicine initiatives, the Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT) mobile outreach clinic and the NEST maternal and newborn support program at the AGH.
At their Community Forum and Annual Meeting, the organization also highlighted the launch of its new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. The plan is described as “a five-year roadmap built around four strategic directions: providing access to quality healthcare, fostering a supportive working environment, enabling the team through modern processes, technology and infrastructure, and securing long-term fiscal and operational sustainability.”
According to the release, MRHA is currently preparing for the implementation of the Epic electronic health record system through the Atlas Alliance, with a planned launch date of Oct. 31, 2026.
During the annual meeting portion of the evening, the MRHA welcomed one new director, re-elected 12 returning directors and recognized Wayne Drummond for five years of service on the MRHA Allied Boards Capital Projects Committee.
“This past year demonstrated what our teams are capable of delivering, even in a demanding environment,” said Brad Harrington, president and CEO of the MRHA. ““There is a great deal to be proud of, and there is also important work ahead,” added Michel G. Vermette, Chair of the MRHA Allied Boards of Directors.
After celebrating their many accomplishments, MRHA leaders also emphasized the mounting pressures facing healthcare providers as the region they serve continues to grow. Population forecasts point to significant growth over the next two decades, particularly in Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills.
“Ensuring that local healthcare remains strong, sustainable, and accessible for future generations requires investment that reflects the true cost of care, and we are committed to working with our provincial partners to achieve that,” said Vermette.
According to MRHA officials, that population growth in the area is already reflected in healthcare demand. Their facilities now handle more than 34,500 emergency department visits annually, while Fairview Manor provides more than 40,000 resident days of care each year. Demand also reportedly continues to rise for paramedic services, diagnostics, emergency care and community-based healthcare programs.
Like many hospitals across Ontario, MRHA is facing what officials describe as a “structural gap” between the increasing cost of delivering care and available provincial funding. They noted that the Ontario Hospital Association has projected a sector-wide deficit exceeding $1 billion across the province.
As part of ongoing discussions with Ontario Health and the provincial government through the Hospital Sector Stabilization Plan, the MRHA is seeking $15 million in stabilization funding, including $8.5 million in permanent base funding and $6.5 million in working capital restoration funding.
The MRHA’s full 2026 Report to the Community is available on the alliance’s website.