Mayor Scott Aitchison was in good spirits at his first public appearance – the annual Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament – since undergoing major heart surgery last month and said his personal experience will change the way he approaches health care talks.
“Since becoming mayor, we’ve been talking a lot about health care, fighting to keep our hospital open. My experience in that battle has been very much a political experience,” Aitchison told attendees at the tournament dinner. “I thought about our hospital as an important part of any vibrant, thriving community, and we need to keep our hospital if we are going to grow as a community.”
My battle in the health care field will be a little different going forward… I’m lucky to be alive and I realized in an intensely personal way that if it wasn’t for (local care), I probably would have died.
Mayor Scott Aitchison
He said it’s important for all of the health care bodies, from Muskoka Algonquin Health Care to the Ministry of Health, to hear from local citizens. “I realize now they need to hear from every single one of you and they need to understand that it’s not just about numbers, it’s not just about whether Bracebridge has a hospital, Huntsville has a hospital – we both need these facilities.” [Muskoka Algonquin Health Care is seeking public feedback via a survey until September 30 – you can complete it here.]
He added that Huntsville wouldn’t have the hospital it has without the support of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, one of the charities the tournament supports along with Fairvern Nursing Home, the Muskoka Women’s Advocacy Group, and Christine’s Place.
Katherine Craine, Executive Director of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, said that her organization was pleased to be among the beneficiaries of the tournament, and that she’s impressed with the amount of collaboration that occurs between the various health care groups in the area “making sure that health care is top of mind. It’s not just about the hospital, it’s about other organizations that keep us healthy. It’s really important that we support all of them. We are one amazing community.”
Craine joked that she was happy to see Mayor Aitchison so well. “Thank God we didn’t screw up,” she said to laughter from the crowd. “Thank you Dr. Mathies and Dr. Goossens.”
In an earlier conversation with Doppler, Aitchison said he has recovered more quickly than expected from the rare sextuple bypass surgery .
“I’m amazed, actually, at how quickly the healing has happened,” said Aitchison, adding that he was shocked to learn he needed bypass surgery when he was expecting only a stent. “It was an absolute whirlwind. I wasn’t expecting that and I was a bit shellshocked I must admit.”
Surgeon Dr. Charles Peniston at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket assured Aitchison that, thanks to his age – 44 – and otherwise good health, he could expect to heal more quickly than the norm.
“It’s a miracle, I feel great,” said Aitchison.
He said the experience allowed him to reflect on the importance of good health and family and friends.
“It felt good to relax and focus on me and my health,” he said. “I realized this is what I need to do going forward, and slowing my pace down and taking time to smell the roses.
“There was a lot of time to reflect on my job as mayor and what kind of changes I’m going to make, obviously. The experience has left me feeling liberated.” And determined to both take better care of himself and spread the word about coronary artery disease.
With the type and number of blockages I had, they said I’m lucky to be alive. My doctors told me that more than 50 per cent of the men my age who have blockages like I have, they never find out – they drop dead of a heart attack because they ignore the signs. Don’t dismiss those signs.
“I was exhausted and I didn’t know what it was, but it didn’t trigger that there was something physically wrong with me,” he said. “I understand my limitations and recognize that I can’t do everything. Trying to do 80 to 100 hour work weeks, trying to run a real estate business and trying to be everywhere as the mayor. It’s physically not possible.”
He added that despite the pain of recovery, he enjoyed the respite. “I spent a lot of good quality time with amazing friends and family, and received lots of messages of support and love. I really have to thank Karin Terziano, the Deputy Mayor, she has handled everything with grace and style. She and the rest of council have really stepped up and been a huge support.”
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament organizer Myke Malone
Aitchison credited local doctors – family physician Dr. David Mathies and internist Dr. Jan Goossens – with saving his life by insisting he get immediate medical attention. “They knew it was serious,” said Aitchison. “The equipment they have in the hospital to do the EKGs and the stress tests, all of that equipment is bought and paid for by the hospital foundation which is an important element of our healthcare system and I’m proud to be supporting them here again tonight.”
Tournament organizer Myke Malone said that this year’s tournament, the third he’s organized for Mayor Aitchison, has been the best yet, with more attendees and more sponsors. “I expect that we’ll have our best year ever. Our sponsorship support was way up this year, as was the number of golfers that came out,” he said. “Last year we raised a little better than $50,000. If we don’t hit $60,000 this year, we’ll be pretty close. That’s pretty impressive for one day.” The funds raised will be equally split amongst the four charities.
Watch for more on the Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament on Doppler soon.
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