Spotlight on the Seligmans

Peter and Dianne (McDermid) Seligman have been supporters of the hospital for over a decade, and their dedication stems from personal experience and a strong sense of community. 

Peter’s connection to Collingwood goes back to the 1960s. He used to visit with his family as a child and, nearly 29 years ago, bought a home here. In 2020, he moved to Collingwood permanently due to COVID-19, enjoying an active lifestyle including skiing, cycling, and spending time with family. 

Dianne’s family is deeply rooted in Collingwood. Her mother, Judy McDermid, a nurse from Guelph, moved to Collingwood and began working at CGMH in the early 1970s after meeting Dianne’s father at a ski club. “She worked in the ICU, then in central supply, and eventually became head of admitting and discharge planning. It was through this role that she helped set up the hospice program, starting with just one bed,” recalls Dianne. 

For Peter and Dianne, supporting the hospital is more than just donating; it’s about ensuring that the hospital can deliver outstanding care to the community. “From birth to the end, to everything in between, the hospital is needed,” Peter says. 

Peter and Dianne understand the need for a new hospital in South Georgian Bay and how greatly it will impact the community, meeting the needs of the area’s growing population. Having personally relied on the hospital’s services, they recognize the pressing need for a larger, more modern facility to address future healthcare demands. “We will have five or six grandkids running around,” Peter says. “It will be a busy house, and more people using the hospital means the need for great healthcare is even more important.” 

To raise awareness and support for the new hospital, Peter and Dianne hosted and sponsored an entertaining evening garden soiree in their beautiful home and breathtaking backyard. They invited friends and acquaintances from various social circles, introducing more people to the hospital campaign and its significance to the community. With the support of their network, the Seligmans raised close to $30,000 net for the new hospital. Their event was not only a successful fundraiser but also an inspiring example of community action. We thank Peter and Dianne for leading the way towards a healthier future. 

“I feel we have a moral responsibility to contribute to the society we live in. And what better way than the health of people in that society?” – Peter Seligman