Claudette McGuire, (long time Executive Director of the BUH Foundation and flanked by Sheila Stensrud and Shauna McGifford), is set to retire at the end of July. (submitted/BUH Foundation)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

It's time

BUH Foundation Executive Director Mcguire set to retire

Jun 22, 2021 | 4:20 PM

The Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation is about to enter unknown territory, with a long-time leader of the organization moving on.

Executive director Claudette McGuire is retiring from her role with the BUH Foundation on July 31, after serving 12 years in that capacity. In a statement, the Foundation thanked McGuire for her time as executive director, which included such achievements as helping to raise over $8 million during that span. Sue Pruden-McIvor, Chairperson for the BUH Foundation Board of Directors, said there’s mixed emotions in seeing McGuire leaving the role.

“She’s been a great stabilizer for the past 12 years and we’re going to miss her,” she said.

Pruden-McIvor said McGuire’s advocacy of the Foundation made their ability to raise so much easier than in past years. Among McGuire’s successful initiatives was the annual “On Air: for Healthcare” radiothon with Pattison Media.

“We’re going to miss her expertise, her ability to find sponsors and support the foundation,” “I’m going to miss her personally as a go-to person.”

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The Foundation will have an ongoing search until a suitable candidate is found, while fund development officer Shauna McGifford will become the interim executive director. Pruden-McIvor said they feel good with McGifford managing the transition, having been there 18 years.

“She knows the workings of the Foundation very well and is very capable,” she said.

McGuire with Pattison’s Tyler Janzen and Darien Rae at this year’s radiothon. (file/battlefordsNOW Staff)

It’s time

McGuire said a while after her husband had passed away, she began to revaluate many things. While she said she still absolutely loves the job, the staff, and the hospital, and is honoured to have this role, sometimes you have to make some life decisions and decided it was time to spend some time at home.

“I turn 64 this year and I could work another year and I’m 65, so why not enjoy myself now?” she said. “So, that’s what I’m going to do. You have to make that jump at some point in time.”

McGuire said it’s bitter-sweet, given how much she enjoys the job and the people she works with. During her time with the Foundation, it’s been a rewarding, yet time-consuming experience.

“You work many weekends and the hours can be long, so there’s lots involved with this role,” Mcguire said. “There’s a time and place for everything I think and this is the time and place for me now.”

One aspect of that demand is the number of people she came to interact with. McGuire said the relationships she’s developed were definitely the highlight of her job.

“I’ve met the most amazing people in the Battlefords, the most amazing people,” she said. “Everyone should be very proud to be from here.”

While she hasn’t made any big plans, McGuire said she knows what will immediately occupy most of her time.

“Right now I’m going to spend my summer being in the yard and trying to make my dog a better dog,” she said with a laugh.

And in reflecting on her time, McGuire had nothing but thanks.

“The BUH Foundation is such a worthy organization and I’ll miss it.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.ca

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