Rural communities face unique challenges related to health. Many rural communities experience significantly higher rates of disease than urban areas. And, healthcare services are often less available and accessible than in urban centres.
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health aims to improve the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication. It works on-the-ground with communities in Huron, Perth, Bruce, and Grey counties in Ontario.
The Foundation helped to seed Gateway in 2008 and continues to support its work in several ways. In addition to general operating funds, we also nurture young talent in rural health through internships.Each year, Gateway offers internships to students, from high school through to the post-graduate students, allowing them to participate in and learn from research projects aligned with their academic expertise. Students also gain valuable experience by participating in Board meetings and learning about non-profit governance and operations. Through these opportunities, Gateway not only introduces young people to rural health but also provides leadership development opportunities for rural youth, who often have limited access to such opportunities.