After 10 years of providing compassionate end-of-life care and serving as a home away from home for residents and their families, the Chatham-Kent Hospice is inviting the community to experience firsthand the impact of Hospice care during a series of Community Open House tours this month.
Held on Wednesday afternoons throughout the month, the tours offer visitors an opportunity to explore the peaceful and supportive hospice environment, learn more about available services, and meet the dedicated team members who provide comfort and care during one of life’s most difficult journeys.
“Over the past decade, our community has helped make Chatham-Kent Hospice a place of dignity, compassion, and support for families when they need it most,” said Jessica Smith, executive director of Chatham-Kent Hospice, in a media release. “These tours are an opportunity for us to welcome the community inside and share the difference their support has made.”
The tours are open to anyone interested in learning more about hospice care.
To ensure minimal disruption to residents and their visitors, each tour has a limited number of participants. Community groups of eight or more are encouraged to arrange a private tour by emailing [email protected].
Tour registration details are available online at chathamkenthospice.com/hospice-tour-registration.
Chambers advocate for local businesses
The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, Leamington District Chamber of Commerce and Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce joined chamber colleagues from across Ontario at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park, bringing a united, non-partisan message to government: Ontario’s future prosperity depends on practical action to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses, workers and communities.
Advocacy Day brought local chamber leaders together with government representatives, policy experts and decision-makers for direct dialogue on the issues shaping Ontario’s economy, including trade competitiveness, growth-enabling infrastructure, talent development, energy affordability, resilient communities and business investment.
For Southwestern Ontario, the message was clear: agriculture, agribusiness and manufacturing must be positioned to lead as Ontario responds to export-market uncertainty, labour force challenges, energy pressures and long-term competitiveness risks.
“Southwestern Ontario is one of the places where Ontario’s economic future is being built,” said Todd Bennett, Chatham Honda and Chair-Elect of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce. “Our message at Queen’s Park was practical and solutions-focused: build the infrastructure, support predictable and reliable energy, strengthen the workforce and give agriculture, agribusiness and manufacturing the tools to compete, grow and create jobs.”
A key focus of the chambers’ advocacy was the agriculture and greenhouse sector, which is central to food security and economic growth in Chatham-Kent, Leamington and Windsor-Essex. The chambers called for provincial investment in growth-enabling infrastructure in agricultural regions, including water, wastewater, energy and transportation systems that can unlock private-sector expansion, support housing, reduce pressure on municipal tax bases and help Ontario businesses respond to changing export conditions.
The chambers also advanced energy priorities critical to both agriculture and manufacturing.
Manufacturing was also a major priority. Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent advocated for an integrated approach linking Ontario’s automotive future with critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, automation, cybersecurity, grid readiness and dual-use supply chains.
CKHA recognizes commitment
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) recently honoured staff, physicians and volunteers at its annual Service Recognition ceremony and the presentation of the Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Cheryl Jarecsni and Sandra VanHyfte were recognized for 45 years of service. Six employees were recognized for 40 years of service, nine for 35 years of service, and 10 for 30 years of service.
“Every day, the staff, physicians and volunteers of CKHA demonstrate the organization’s purpose: Our Focus is YOU. This annual celebration gives us an opportunity to honor their hard work and unwavering pursuit of health care excellence,” said Adam Topp, President and CEO of CKHA, in a media release. “We are grateful for their continuous commitment to delivering exceptional care rooted in equity and kindness.”
During the ceremony, exceptional performance was recognized with the Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Alan Stevenson Memorial Award: Britany Gawley-Atkinson, mental health and addiction therapist.
Allied Health Professional of the Year Award: Allison Vitek, occupational therapist.
Focus Award: Lisa Stonehouse, administrative assistant.
Nurse of the Year Award: Kathie Vandehogen, dialysis continuity nurse.
Physician of the Year Award: Dr. Stephanie Jarrin.
Rookie of the Year Award: Sarah Weston, registered technologist.
Stroke Care Award: Julia Chase, RN.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Sheila Satchell.
Tag team effort to aid farmers
Farm Lending Canada (FLC) recently announced an investment from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) that will help expand access to financing for Canadian farmers.
This is a component of FCC’s recently announced commitment to deploy $2 billion to enhance innovation in Canadian agriculture and food by 2030, to help scale breakthrough solutions and strengthen food security. That includes solutions that address critical challenges like farm transition and succession, which are central to the future of Canadian agriculture. Supporting these transitions aligns with FCC’s commitment to keep family farms strong.
“We are proud to receive this strategic investment from FCC at a time when Canadian farmers need our help more than ever,” said Robb Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of FLC, in a media release. “The changing global landscape has put a great deal of stress on the men and women who put food on our tables. We are here for them now and will continue to be a source of capital for them into the future. With this capital, we will now be able to expand our existing loan portfolio and increase our ability to help Canadian farmers.”
Founded in 2019, FLC provides financing to Canadian farming operations in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan that may not have access to traditional lending options. Since its inception, FLC has helped over 100 Canadian farming families, with an average loan size of more than $2 million.
For more information about Farm Lending Canada Inc. and its financial solutions for Canadian farmers, visit www.farmlending.ca.
Skin cancer screening
As rates of skin cancer and melanoma detection continue to rise across Canada, the Chatham Skin Clinic is there to help with early detection.
Dr. Queenette Asuquo and her team said advancements in medicine allow physicians to get better at detecting melanoma earlier with significantly improved outcomes.
Asuquo recently opened the Chatham Skin Clinic on Keil Drive South. This clinic specializes in advanced melanoma screenings and comprehensive dermatological care to those in Chatham-Kent and the surrounding area.
As people are getting outside more, She wants to bring awareness around early skin cancer detection.
The clinic utilized automated total body mapping to help with the early detection process.
Asuquo said the clinic is the only one in Chatham-Kent offering this technology.
“Patients are often told to monitor their moles at home, but this can be difficult, especially for lesions on the back, scalp, or other hard-to-see areas,” Asuquo said in a media release. “Total body mapping provides a much more reliable way to monitor the skin over time and supports earlier detection of potentially concerning changes.”
Using high-resolution cameras and polarized imaging, the ATBM system captures detailed photographs of the skin’s surface and helps to identify pigmented lesions that may require closer evaluation.
“Patients are often amazed by the technology,” Asuquo said. “It gives many people peace of mind knowing that their skin has been thoroughly examined and digitally monitored from head to toe.”
Asuquo encourages patients to become familiar with the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma when checking their skin at home. These signs do not automatically mean melanoma, but they should prompt medical assessment.
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other.
Border irregularity: Edges are uneven, scalloped, or poorly defined.
Colour variation: Multiple shades or uneven colour within the lesion.
Diameter: Lesions larger than 6 mm may be concerning.
Evolving: Change in size, shape, colour, or symptoms.
- Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to [email protected].
