June 27, 2025
“Doing what we can to keep healthcare close to home warms the heart,” says Ron Wirsta, Chair of the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation. Supplied.
Story by Deanna Dament
June is Health Philanthropy Month. Throughout the month, we’re celebrating our philanthropic partners who raise funds for healthcare across the province.
The Faces of Foundations profile series introduces you to leaders in healthcare philanthropy across Alberta.
This week, we’re pleased to profile Ron Wirsta, Chair and longtime volunteer with the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation.
Why did you become involved with the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation?
“I’m interested in healthcare, and a I’m a community-minded person who enjoys helping people and organizations in need. When I first started, the foundation raised funds to provide some equipment needed by the hospital such as baby care products, warming beds, a stress test machine and bariatric beds.
“Things need to be good at the hospital for staff, doctors and volunteers but also for the patients and their families and friends. Everyone needs to have good healthcare and good visits to the hospital whenever they go there.
“I became involved with the foundation because I want to make our community stronger by supporting the hospital. I care about the community and everyone in it. St. Paul and District is only as strong as the pillars within it and one of those pillars is the hospital.”
Why is health philanthropy important to you?
“Health philanthropy is important because it is vital to care for other people. Seeing people travel to get the healthcare they need is a concern for our community because the road conditions are not great for six months of the year. Doing what we can to keep healthcare close to home warms the heart.”
What does being a leader in healthcare philanthropy mean to you?
“Being a leader in healthcare philanthropy means I can lead and create through the foundation in ways to help more people.
“My mother taught me to be concerned about the community, and I enjoy giving back to the residents of the St. Paul area.”
What recent foundation accomplishments make you most proud?
“In April, the foundation held the 1926 Where It All Began Gala. The foundation chose a 1926 theme because this was when the first hospital opened in St. Paul, and most attendees dressed to impress in Western wear from the '20s. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment and dancing. The foundation raised $200,000 to help more people in the community and fund a CT scanner. It lifts the spirit to see the community come together to help facilitate the foundation’s goal of helping the community grow and get access to newer, better equipment in the St. Paul area.”
What initiatives are coming up for the foundation?
“An initiative that we’re working towards is to introduce a CT scanner into the facility. Talks are well underway with AHS on this endeavour. Next, the second and third floors need major renovations, and the foundation is happy to support this project. Over the last year and a half, the Government of Alberta has funded the Emergency Department’s renovation. It is good for the hospital to keep all the spaces updated no matter who funds the renovations.”
What is the best way for Albertans to support the foundation?
“The best way for Albertans to support the foundation is to help achieve its goal of raising a million dollars through donations. It will not be easy. St. Paul is not a large business community, rather it is an agriculture community, and finding people and companies to help us will be a challenge. However, the foundation is about a quarter of the way there and anyone can reach out on the website.
To make things easy for donors the foundation has an email that people can send an e-transfer to, and the money will go right into the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation’s bank account. It is important people know that all the funds stay in the area.”
For more information on the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation, visit their website. Or email: stpaulhospitalfoundation@gmail.com.
