In late 2010, the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario (HAAO) celebrated 100 years of health care services to communities throughout the province.  Joan Farlinger, HAAO Past President devoted more than 20 years to the Hospital Auxiliary, during which she has also enjoyed a positive and rewarding relationship with the OHA.

Joan was introduced to the OHA more than 23 years ago when she attended an OHA Educational Conference.  At the time, she was the first female Board Chair of the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.  Since then, Joan has attended many more OHA conferences and has continued to work closely with the OHA,  as she led the HAAO, a 35,000 member organization.

During her career, Joan is most proud of being able to work with a very dedicated and loyal group of Auxiliary and Association Volunteers who are committed to helping health care facilities provide high quality patient care and also contribute their time and talents to raise millions of dollars. In the last year alone, HAAO members volunteered over four million hours and raised 50 million dollars for their health care facilities.  “I love being a volunteer,” says Joan. “People are always so appreciative of the work we do”.

In February 2012, the OHA, the HAAO and  the Professional Administrators of Volunteer Resources Ontario (PAVRO) will host the popular Leaders of Volunteers Conference which attracts  attendees  from across Ontario each year.

When asked what has changed most in Ontario’s health care system, Joan sees a system that is unable to keep up with the growing demands of an aging population and the need for more services from our health care facilities. In addition, Joan says there is a greater need for our Auxiliary and Associations to recruit more volunteers. The volunteers help bring a new skill set and goals which add a greater dimension to the health care facilities as we embrace technological change.

When she’s not working or volunteering, Joan enjoys a variety of hobbies including boating on the St. Lawrence, attending Ottawa Senators games, spending time with her children and grand children and traveling.