Groves Memorial Community Hospital - Fergus, ON

The Groves Memorial Community Hospital is one of three hospitals in the Wellington Health Care Alliance (WCHA), the other two being Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest and the Palmerston and District Hospital in Palmerston. The 1 Bench 1 Tree installation was completed on September 29, 2022. The hospital provides a comprehensive range of surgical, inpatient and outpatient services; including 24/7 emergency and obstetrical care.

The 1 Bench 1 Tree installation is at the new Groves Memorial Hospital site, which has been operational since August 2020. The new 152,000 square-foot facility comes equipped with 42 inpatient beds, including 37 in private single-patient rooms and free parking. There is more space compared to the old site, a surgical suite and a full range of clinical support services. The hospital also has modernized infection control measures including isolation unit, which is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new hospital site also features a helipad on-site, that allows the most critically ill and severely injured patients fast access to specialized emergency care at other care centres. The hospital is also working on a memorial forest, where the public can dedicate a tree on the property.

The hospital is named after Dr. Abraham Groves (1847-1935) who was a famous surgeon in Fergus, Ontario. He was a pioneer in the use of antiseptics and sterilization, stomach surgery, and X-ray treatment for cancer. Dr. Groves was the first surgeon in Canada to perform an appendectomy; before that, people with appendicitis did not survive. Almost from the beginning of his practice, his ability and skill as a surgeon began to be recognized, and the demands for his professional services grew rapidly.