ST. CATHARINES, ON – Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre is pleased to announce significant changes to its Board of Trustees' leadership. Effective immediately, Betty-Lou Souter, the former 1st Vice Chair, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board. Anne Atkinson, who has admirably served as Chair since 2018, has completed her term and will continue to contribute as Past Chair. Additionally, Angela Carter has been appointed as the new 1st Vice Chair. Bob Lawler will continue to serve on the Board as the 2nd Vice Chair.
Anne Atkinson has been an invaluable member of the Board since 2014 and has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her term as Chair. Under her guidance, Hotel Dieu Shaver navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw multiple senior leadership transitions among hospital staff, and charted a course for the implementation of a new Health Information System. Her tenure also saw the hospital secure a $2.5-million capital grant and approval for the progression of a new inpatient building that will support an additional 62 rehabilitation beds, bringing the total number of beds at Hotel Dieu Shaver to 196.
Reflecting on her term, Atkinson stated, “It has been an honour to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, especially during such unprecedented times. I look forward to continuing to support Hotel Dieu Shaver in my new role as Past Chair.”
Betty-Lou Souter brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the Niagara community. Appointed to the Board in 2017, Souter has been instrumental in guiding various initiatives. As the CEO of Community Care, St. Catharines & Thorold, she has extensive experience in managing and supporting community services. Souter's remarkable volunteerism and leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
In her new role, Souter commented, “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees. I am excited to continue working with our dedicated team to advance the mission and vision of Hotel Dieu Shaver and to build on the strong foundation laid by Anne.”
Angela Carter, the newly appointed 1st Vice Chair, joined the Board in 2023. Carter is the President of Angela Carter Enterprise and the CEO of Westland Greenhouse Solutions Inc. She brings an extensive background in business management, human resources, and community service, having been involved with numerous organizations, including United Way of South Niagara and Rotary International. Like Souter, Carter is also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community contributions.
Dr. David Ceglie, CEO of Hotel Dieu Shaver, expressed his gratitude and optimism for the future of the Hospital, stating, “We are fortunate to have such experienced and passionate individuals on our Board. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Anne for her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication. We warmly welcome Betty-Lou as our new Chair and look forward to Angela’s contributions as our 1st Vice Chair. Together, we will continue to provide outstanding care and rehabilitation services to residents across Niagara.”