- Posted on April 4, 2025
Announcement: SMGH Foundation President & CEO
Message from Greg Brooks, Chair, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors
It’s with mixed emotions that I announce the retirement of Susan Dusick, President & CEO of St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation.
St. Mary’s was Susan’s gateway to health care philanthropy. More than two decades ago, she joined a volunteer committee at the foundation to fundraise for the hospital’s milestone event: its 80th anniversary.
That experience sparked her deep commitment to connect people toward a bigger purpose: better health for all.
Following her volunteer commitment, Susan joined the foundation in 2005 as Director of Development, leaving a successful 20-year career in business development and marketing in the private sector. She joined a small but nimble team of five that raised $4 million annually.
During that time, the foundation raised funds for exciting new technology, such as $1 million to bring the first digital mammography machine to the Region and the expansion of the cardiac program - an additional 100,000 sq ft to existing infrastructure - and a new 2D Echo Ultrasound machine
Susan’s career continued to grow at the foundation. She was appointed to Vice-President in 2010 and then President & CEO in 2016.
Her leadership was particularly crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the foundation securing $1 million from the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation for hospital staff wellness initiatives and countless partnerships to support the frontline health care workers.
Throughout her time at St. Mary’s, Susan has played key roles in establishing and sustaining partnerships with donors, foundations and corporations to support the hospital. Notable achievements include:
- Led the foundation to raise $15 million to construct the Electrophysiology (EP) suite at the Regional Cardiac Care Centre.
- Cultivated and grew a partnership with Manulife, one of the foundation’s longest-standing corporate partners; over the years, Manulife invested $5.5 million in cardiac care.
- Partnered with Grand River Hospital Foundation to launch a joint fundraising campaign to expand MRI capacity in the Region. St. Mary’s first MRI went live in March 2024, leading to decreased wait times, faster diagnoses and reduced travel burden and stress on patients.
- Worked to finalize an estate gift from the Kraft family, the largest single donation made to St. Mary’s. The $11.1 million donation is providing a significant boost to the Regional Cardiac Care Centre by funding the construction of the third catheterization suite.
- Collaborated with women leaders in the Region to launch She Shares women’s giving circle; the group has now grown to more than 100 members, funding equipment that’s often overlooked.
During her tenure, the foundation has raised more than $150 million for essential medical equipment and programs. Last year, the foundation team of 15 raised more than $21 million in support of the hospital’s mission of quality, barrier-free patient care.
Susan's retirement date will align with the outcomes from discussions between St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation and Grand River Hospital Foundation to come together, in light of the newly merged Waterloo Regional Health Network.
As we work through this change, the board is committed to ensuring a seamless process. We will keep you informed as we move forward with this important next step.
On behalf of the St Mary’s General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Susan for an extraordinary two decades of service and leadership, which have left an everlasting impact on health care in our community.
Congratulations, and thank you, Susan!
Sincerely,
Greg Brooks
Board Chair
St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation
