Brockville & District Hospital Foundation Hosts Second MEDtalks Session Focused on Colon Health Awareness
On April 15, the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation proudly held it’s second MEDtalks session, bringing together community members for an engaging and informative discussion on colon health.
This second MEDtalks session featured three experienced surgeons from Brockville General Hospital who shared valuable insights on the types of screening and treatments available to us, what happens when you are diagnosed with colon cancer and the steps to recovery. Their expert perspectives offered attendees a deeper understanding of the process to maintain colon health and prevent serious complications by stressing the importance of early detection.
A particularly meaningful highlight of the evening was a heartfelt talk by Richard Schaafsma, a patient who bravely shared his journey with being diagnosed with colon cancer and his recovery. Richard’s story underscored the critical importance of early detection and support throughout treatment.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our panel of guests who made this event a success:
• President and CEO of Brockville General Hospital, Julie Caffin
• General Surgeons, Dr. Sharon Koubi, Dr. Karim Somani and Dr. Scott Graham
• Special guest and colon cancer survivor, Richard Schaafsma
Following the presentation, attendees were encouraged to ask questions and share personal experiences during an engaging fireside chat. This open forum sparked meaningful conversations around colon care and the resources available.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed to the fireside chat. Your stories and insights helped create a thoughtful and impactful dialogue around this important topic. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and will help us continue to shape future MEDtalks sessions into meaningful, informative events for our community.
Trish Buote Executive Director, Brockville & District Hospital Foundation
“We’re thrilled by the incredible community response and meaningful conversations sparked during our MEDTalks session on colon health. Events like these highlight the importance of proactive education and open dialogue, helping to remove stigma, encourage early screenings, and ultimately save lives. Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and shared their powerful stories.”
Julie Caffin, President and CEO, Brockville General Hospital
“Thank you to the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation for putting on another successful MEDtalk,” says Julie Caffin, President and CEO, Brockville General Hospital. “This was a great opportunity for our community to hear from a panel of knowledgeable, local experts and learn about colon health and the importance of screening. Richard Schaafsma shared his own lived experience as a patient and the journey that followed his diagnosis. We are grateful to Richard for sharing his story.”
The Brockville & District Hospital Foundation is proud to continue fostering health education in the community through MEDtalks, empowering individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions about their health.
We’re pleased to invite you to our next MEDtalks event, taking place on June 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing. This session, titled SMART MOVES FOR A SAFE SEASON, will cover key topics to help you stay healthy this summer – from preventing early skin damage and understanding travel vaccinations to protecting yourself against ticks and mosquitoes.
For those who were unable to attend the session in person, a recording of the discussion will be available on the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation website in the coming weeks. Please visit https://bdhfoundation.com/get-involved/medtalks/ to download valuable information and resources discussed at our MEDtalks sessions.
