Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

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SOUTH MUSKOKA — Bob West knows the value of a great local hospital and how large generation donation can make a great difference.

His $8 million legacy gift this week is inspired by a lifetime in the medical health care supply business and his absolute love of Muskoka.

The contribution to the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation (SMHF) is the largest in its history is being hailed by them as “transformational.”

It is on top of previous other generous donations he’s made in aid of South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH).

They say in a release Friday “Robert George West is an entrepreneurial businessman and long-time Muskoka summer resident. And that his generosity will help shape the future of health care in the region for generations.”

West spent his career working alongside hospitals and healthcare professionals as the founder of Medical Mart, one of the country’s leading medical supply companies.

“Through that work, the Wests developed a deep appreciation for what exceptional healthcare requires, not only dedicated physicians and nurses, but the facilities, equipment and technology that allow them to provide it.”

“Bob understood what world-class healthcare looked like because he spent his career helping deliver it,” said Leah Walker, CEO of SMHF. “His remarkable gift reflects his belief that the people of Muskoka deserve that same standard of care. We are incredibly grateful that his legacy will help strengthen healthcare in our region for generations to come.”

He first discovered Muskoka during annual family vacations at Bangor Lodge on Lake Muskoka before eventually purchasing a cottage on Lake Rosseau and making the region his summer home.

“He fell in love with Muskoka, and there was no turning back,” said his son Rob West. “This became home. It became the community he cared about and wanted to make even better.”

The historic gift will “help advance SMHF’s mission to support exceptional local healthcare, including the future envisioned Raise Muskoka, the campaign to build one integrated healthcare system and two new hospitals, one right here in south Muskoka,” said Walker.

The foundation hopes West’s generosity will also encourage others to consider the lasting impact of legacy giving.

“A legacy gift is such a meaningful way to invest in the future of our community,” she added. “Bob’s extraordinary example reminds us that a single act of generosity can continue making a difference for decades to come.”

She said to learn more about leaving a legacy gift, contact her at leah.walker@mahc.ca

York’s School of Medicine

for family doctors to include

Muskoka training partnership

The news comes the same day as official word that the province is investing $55.8 million to support planning and operations of York University’s new school of medicine as the first medical school in Ontario focused on training family doctors.

The York School of Medicine is expected to open in 2028 “to ensure everyone who wants to have a primary care provider can access one.”

In addition there will be local partnerships with hospitals and medical providers that will include training in Central Ontario and Muskoka.

This investment will fund initial planning for the York School of Medicine such as accreditation, curriculum development, faculty recruitment, establishing a medical library, training costs and operating costs for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. When the school opens, it will have 80 undergraduate seats and 102 postgraduate seats, growing to 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats at full capacity.

Said Cheryl Harrison, president and CEO, of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare: “We are excited to partner with York University’s School of Medicine to help strengthen the future of family medicine in Muskoka and surrounding regions. We are grateful to York University and the province of Ontario for their commitment to training the next generation of family physicians and improving access to care close to home.”

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