Jenna De Nijs, Michelle Johnston, Betty-Jo Drent, and Kaliegh Orrange
Just wanting to thank you all for hosting such a fabulous Senior Spring Fling event on March 11th! I was very impressed by the thought, effort, and enthusiasm your team had in honouring our seniors. Thank you for your continued compassion, respect, and dedication to the program.
With sincere appreciation,
Sandra McCabe, Community Health Services Director
A thank you to Janelle Johnston, Nursing Staff, and Reception at the Centre
I am so grateful for the kind, patient, professional, and respectful care I have received from Janelle and the entire staff at WECHC. I am so impressed with the compassion, kindness, and care that are shown with every request and every appointment. I am so grateful for each of the reception staff for all they do to make it a welcoming office. I am grateful for the nurses, and especially Janelle, for the amazing job they do at making me feel comfortable and caring for.
Thank you all for restoring my faith in family health care. You are awesome and your hard work is truly appreciated.
~CG
March 2, 2026
Huge props to Nurse Practitioner Sarah, and RPN Hailey, at First Five Elgin (Southwestern Public Health). They saw my son on extremely short notice today when he was getting sicker and I was getting desperate. He's doing better already. Thanks for being so great with him and for giving me answers.
~ SN
At the West Elgin Community Health Centre we are very proud and grateful for our Nurse Practitioners (NP).
Thank you to Larry Schneider for writing this article posted in the West Elgin Chronicle on January 30, 2026. The news article highlights the role of the NP and our Centre's invaluable team - Krista, Lindsay, Janelle, Sarah, Brittani, Holly, and Miranda.
West Elgin Chronicle - Nurse Practitioners
We have created a PDF of Larry's article for printing purposes.
Nurse Practitioners - A Crucial Part of Our Medical System
Having vaccination sites in Dutton and Rodney was a wonderful idea. So many people were able to get the vaccinations that way.
Everyone greeting us was warm and welcoming and, knowledgeable. They were also very professional in the way they set things up. It was very smooth and calming and, so very important to so many people.
Thank you to everyone who put the plan together. Thank you to the wonderful people there. They had us vaccinated and on our way in a very short period of time and always with a smile, words of caution and words of comfort.
~FS, Community Member
Little Poppy
Little poppy
Given to me
Help me keep Canada
Safe and free
I'll wear a little poppy
As red as red can be
To show that I remember
Those who fought for me.
~Lest We Forget
At our Centre we are truly grateful for our Assisted Living and Community Support teams' unwavering compassion to serve our clients and communities and, as co-workers, for their support of each other.
A few Assisted Living Personal Support Workers share their "why" stories below.
"I work as a PSW because, for me, it's not a job its a calling and what greater honour is there than to serve the people in my own community. I am able to do this through the Centre, a place that not only supports our community with its many programs and services but supports its employees as well."
"Being there for someone at their lowest and making even a small positive impact is deeply rewarding and motivates me everyday. The Centre feel like home because of the amazing, supportive people who keep it running. Everyone is kind, approachable, and always willing to help, creating a safe and welcoming place to work and grow."
"I have compassion for others, dedication, and empathy wanting to make a difference improving (clients') quality of life. The Centre is a respectful workplace treating everyone with professionalism and consideration. And with the Centre's values and mission, I am excited about the care given to clients and the Centre's dedication to the community".
"I call the Centre home because its family, supportive, with amazing coworkers and amazing management."
"The Seniors in our community helped shape West Elgin and Dutton Dunwich into the places we are proud to call home today. They deserve our respect, gratitude, and support during their senior years. I consider it a privilege to be there for them and giving back to those who gave so much."
~Happy Community Support Month!~
One of our employees has been recognized by St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services. The case worker shared how amazing our employee is and how they went over and above to support a mutual client in their journey.
The client also shared that they are so grateful for all the work done by our employee and by the Centre. It is a "biggest shoutout from the heart" to say thanks and noting that "you definitely make a difference to this community and to the people you work with".
Received from a Caseworker at West Elgin Outreach, St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services
For privacy reasons, names have not been included in this note of appreciation.
On behalf of MPP Flack and our entire team, I want to extend our sincere thanks to you (Michelle Johnston) and everyone at the West Elgin Community Health Centre for organizing such a thoughtful and engaging Seniors Fair in Rodney/West area. The event was a fantastic success - from the warm hospitality to the delicious lunch and wonderful music, every detail was clearly planned with care and with our seniors in mind. It was heartening to see so many community members enjoying themselves, connecting with resources, and celebrating together.
Please extend our thanks to everyone involved. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future.
Warm regards,
Barb Gonyou/Operations Manager
MPP Rob Flack Constituency Office Elgin-Middlesex-London
Partial Excerpt from Larry Schneider Facebook Post - August 25, 2025:
Like most gardens in the area, the Rodney Community Garden is the brainchild of Stephanie Skelding and other staff at the West Elgin Community Health Centre. The garden is supported by the Municipality of West Elgin and other area groups.
They are harveting a bumper crop of tomatoes, beans, and other vegetables, following hard upon the heels of a wonderful crop of small purple raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, kale, and lettuce. Today we brought home several meals worth of green beans, roma, cherry, and beefsteak tomatoes, a few beets, lots of herbs, mint, parsley, and basil.
There are several raised garden beds, planted and harvested by individuals and families as well as in-ground beds which are either for all who participate in the garden or the family who planted them. Scattered throughout are vaious seasonal flowers including my favourite, my mother's beloved gladiolas! A handsome fence was built around the in-ground beds this summer, by Dirt Devils, with funds acquired from the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Fund covering the cost of the fencing and gate supplies, while an Enbridge Fueling grant covered the Dirt Devils' fee for the build.
Thanks and congratulations once again to all the gardners digging in and watering, weeding and watching as the crops, and abundant stubborn weeds, took root and thrived! Thanks to Stephanie for continuing as our fearless leader and to all who tilled the soil and picked the plentiful produce! As always, more gardeners are invited to join us next year! Please keep Stephanie's name in mind. Surplus produce is always shared with local seniors and the food bank. This is indeed our COMMUNITY GARDEN!