The Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital Foundation (BMP Foundation) is celebrating its 30th anniversary by announcing a new look and logo.

The BMP Foundation came together in 1993 when there was a demand for philanthropy to ensure the continuous upgrade of health care services in Brome-Missisquoi. The mission of the BMP Foundation is to improve the accessibility and quality of health care at the Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital (BMP Hospital). It coordinates fundraisers throughout the year to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and to implement certain projects that benefit not only the hospital, but the patients that walk through its doors.

To mark its 30th anniversary the BMP Foundation has also launched a new website, it will be reviewing its donor recognition program, and it will be implementing measures to limit its impact on the environment. 

“I am quite proud of all of the accomplishments that have been made so far both through the foundation, but foremost at the hospital. We’re very fortunate to have people who care so much about their local hospital and having health care close to their homes; it’s a great feeling,” said Francis Laramée, executive director of the BMP Foundation. 

The BMP Hospital was originally a hotel until a group of healthcare professionals and community members purchased it to transform it into a hospital in 1910. 

“It fully evolved with additions and new services throughout the years. It’s in 1993 that our foundation was officially created and incorporated. There was an interface for philanthropy to help upgrade our health care here in Brome-Missiquoi,” mentioned Laramée. “Starting from 1993,  it all went upwards.”

The BMP Foundation added the birthing pavilion, an oncology clinic, and an orthopaedic clinic. 

“Those are all realizations that were done and upgraded throughout the years continuously because of the generosity of our donors,” said Laramée.

Announcing its new look and logo at a press conference held yesterday at the BMP Hospital, Laramée told CIDI that the foundation thought it was perfect timing. 

“We thought that the timing was an excellent one with our latest major fundraising campaign that came to an end in 2022, and it was also coinciding with our 30th anniversary,” he noted “Therefore, we thought it was great opportunity to upgrade the look and make it look more zen, more modern as well.”

The main idea when doing the logo was "that we wanted to bring out the attachment that people have to their hospital," added Laramée. 

“And that it’s because of the generosity of people, either donors, volunteers, or partners, that we are still able to be there. That’s why we see two little leaves with a heart shape in one of them and there is a link between the two of them. That represents the link between the people that care about their hospital,” explained Laramée. 

Wanting to put its donors first, Laramée said that the BMP Foundation will be “rethinking” its donor recognition program this year.

“We will have announcements to our donors throughout the year with new ways to recognize their involvement and to be more fair throughout the recognition of people,” he noted. 

To mark its 30 years, the BMP Foundation is also planning a special event, it has redesigned its website, and it will be taking on more “social responsibility” when it comes to the impact it has on the environment through its activities and general operations.

“Slowly we will be able to unveil a policy that will include these little things on a day to day basis that we will start to do. Foremost, all the new stationery for the foundation will have been produced on recycled paper and certified FSC materials,” highlighted Laramée.

In terms of this year’s projects, Laramée explained that the foundation is currently working with the CIUSSSE/CHUS to identify the healthcare needs in the region to put projects in place. 

“As we know, it’s difficult to plan ahead of time because we have a lot of changes on a day to day basis. Therefore, we want to take it one step at a time and come back to make an announcement whenever it’s solid,” he said. 

For more information on the BMP Foundation, visit the website.

Listen to the full interview below: