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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Retired pharmacist donates $1M to health care foundations
A retired local pharmacist and businessman has donated $1 million to be split evenly between the Misericordia and Riverview Health Centre foundations.
J. Laurie Johnston said he was making his gift to repay a friend who gave him $200 to cover his tuition, with the condition that he do something similar for someone else some day.
Johnston, who was raised in Regina but graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree, started a legacy fund 35 years ago. When the fund totalled $1 million, he began searching for a suitable charity.
"I have put my trust in the PRIME program at Misericordia and the palliative care program at Riverview," Johnston said in a prepared statement. "PRIME, a day health centre for seniors, is designed to keep an aging population healthy and in their own homes.
"Riverview’s excellent palliative care program exemplifies something I have always believed in, a comfortable and dignified death."
Johnston operated a pharmacy in Winnipeg for 20 years, and was recognized as Manitoba Pharmacist of the Year in 1977.
Hospital officials said they were grateful for Johnston’s gift.
Réal Cloutier, chief operating officer and vice-president of long-term care for the Winnipeg Health Region, said he was very pleased Johnston had chosen to recognize the efforts and quality services provided through the two programs.
"These are important initiatives that are proven to provide the kind of care Winnipeggers want and need as we prepare for the future," Cloutier said.
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