An exclusive inside look at the new St. Paul’s Hospital and the future of care in Vancouver!
Tracie Watson and Brittany Thomson (Project Manager, Jim Pattison Medical Campus) will share key insights into this transformative project, including the Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing and Balance Centre, followed by a Q&A session:
An exclusive inside look at the new St. Paul’s Hospital and Jim Pattison Medical Campus—one of the most ambitious and transformative health‑care projects in BC’s history. We will explore how the new campus is being designed around people first: emphasizing dignity, prevention, community, and long‑term impact. You’ll see how thoughtful design supports healing, how technology is giving time back to care teams, and how spaces like the Rotary Hearing and Balance Centre are improving access and outcomes. The presentation highlights St. Paul’s global leadership and how the new campus will accelerate discoveries that benefit patients locally and worldwide. Together, it’s a story of innovation, service, and a legacy of care for generations to come.
Past President & President of the Hearing Foundation Jason Boudreau will close the meeting with a few updates and remarks on behalf of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Hearing Foundation.
Speakers:
Director, Philanthropy – Medical Acute
Tracie Watson joined St. Paul’s Foundation’s Major Gift Fundraising Team in 2018, advancing from Manager for the Surgery & Complex Care Portfolio to Associate Director and now Director, Philanthropy – Medical Acute. A consistently high performing fundraising professional, Tracie leads a team in building meaningful, long-term donor relationships and strategic clinical partnerships, and securing complex major gifts that advance equipment, research, program, and capital priorities.
With extensive experience in sales, marketing, advertising, and philanthropy across Canada and the United States, Tracie is dedicated to strengthening the Foundation’s culture of philanthropy and long term donor engagement. She is committed to securing major and transformational support that will help transform health care in British Columbia.
Tracie holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing/Advertising from Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Outside of work, Tracie loves to travel, spend time with her family and her two Golden Retrievers.
Brittany Thomson joined St. Paul’s Foundation in 2018 and currently serves as a Project Manager supporting major capital campaigns for the redevelopment of St. Paul’s Hospital and the Jim Pattison Medical Campus. Working in close partnership with redevelopment, clinical, and internal partners, Brittany helps translate complex capital projects into clear, compelling narratives that support engagement and campaign success. Her work focuses on connecting design, innovation, and research priorities to meaningful outcomes for patients, families, and communities.
With more than 15 years of experience in the not‑for‑profit sector, Brittany is deeply committed to advancing community health and wellness, with a focus on dignity, equity, and lasting health outcomes for Canadians.
NEW DATES!!!!!
Inclusion Labs are interactive sessions designed to help club members build digital and technology skills—closing the gap in tech literacy across the club.
Organized by Ally Potel, led by our Young Professionals!
Virtual AGM of the District 5040 - May 9, 2026 10am
REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY
Each year the AGM is an important part of the governance of the District. Your input in the process of developing new policy and financial plans for the District is crucial.
Please join DG Jan Gisborne, DGE Dean Hsieh and other district leaders to learn about these important documents for the district and the coming Rotary year.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: May 09, 2026 @ 10:00 AM Vancouver time
Register in advance is required.
Thank you to those that have already completed this annual survey of our programs and offerings.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take 10-15 minutes to complete our annual survey and share your thoughts on Rotary's programs, The Rotary Foundation, and our digital tools.
All our survey data are kept confidential and anonymous. If you have any questions about this survey or Rotary’s research efforts, please contact us at surveys@rotary.org.
Thank you for your valuable input!
Sincerely,
Rotary International Research Team
The 20th Annual Rotary Hoopathon 2026, hosted by the Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise.
This charity event features Global BC's Chris Gailus shooting hoops to raise funds for local scholarships, youth leadership programs, and the Strathcona Basketball Program.
Key Details for 2026:
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 9:00 am.
Location: Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer Street, Vancouver.
Purpose: Raise funds for post-secondary scholarships, youth mentorship, and the year-round Strathcona basketball program.
Celebrity Shooter: Global BC Anchor Chris Gailus for his 14th consecutive year.
Who do you know that is remarkable?Someone whose story or expertise would captivate a room full of experienced business and community leaders?
Do you know anyone from this Top-Speaker List in Vancouver?
Think thought leaders, change makers, or trailblazers in business, sports, innovation, public service, or philanthropy.
Take a quick scroll through this list & your LinkedIn connections. You might spot someone you haven’t thought about in a while who would be perfect.
If someone comes to mind, please connect with Bill Davidson at billd@davidson-co.com
President Joan Posivy opened the meeting by warmly welcoming fellow Rotarians and guests, highlighting the “special treat” of having Julia Halbert—Past President of the Vancouver Young Professionals Rotaract Club, former district Rotaract chair, fundraiser, and accomplished performer—lead the club in O Canada. Joan noted Julia’s many talents and long-standing connection to Rotary, setting a positive and celebratory tone for the meeting.
The Unsung Hero Award - Presentation
Joan then introduced the club’s Quarterly Unsung Hero Awards, a new initiative started earlier this year to recognize members who work quietly and diligently behind the scenes. She explained that:
Any member can be nominated, including self-nominations.
Nominations for current board members are set aside until they are off the board, to keep the focus on non-board volunteers.
Each recipient receives two ribbons:
One to keep, as recognition of their service to the club.
One to give to someone in their own life—at home or in the community—whom they consider an “unsung hero.” Joan encouraged recipients to share, at a later date, who they chose and why.
First Unsung Hero
Board member Nathan H. presented the first award. Without naming her immediately, he described the recipient as someone who:
Works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep projects and accountabilities on track.
Helps the club manage and evaluate the large volume of funding requests they receive.
Serves on multiple committees, including the Youth Committee and International Service Committee.
He emphasized how essential this person is to the club and its beneficiaries, and how they deserved to know how much they are appreciated—adding a light-hearted note about being bribed with chocolate from the Netherlands. He then revealed the recipient as Adriana Zylmans!
Second Unsung Hero
The second award was presented by Paul Martin. He described the recipient as:
A member of the club for close to 40 years.
Someone who embodies Rotary values in work, family, and community life.
A Rotarian who has served on almost every committee, and when committees ran out, helped create new ones to keep serving.
A leader who not only serves on committees but has led key committees in recent years.
A major contributor to membership growth, helping build and strengthen the club.
Paul shared an anecdote about a former CEO who teased staff as a sign they were “on his radar,” connecting this to his own habit of gently poking fun at this member’s accent—a sign of high regard.
On behalf of Joan and the board, he announced the second Unsung Hero as Franz Gehriger, recognizing his decades of dedication and leadership.
Joan closed the segment by noting that the Unsung Hero Awards will be presented again in about three months, and encouraged members to continue submitting nominations to Ally, secretary@rotaryvancouver.org.
Congratulations, Adriana & Franz!
Program Highlight: Presentation by Ballet BC!
This week's meeting featured an inspiring program from Ballet BC, presented by Julia Halbert, Manager of Individual Giving, and dance artist and teacher Marco Esser
Julia began by introducing Ballet BC as Canada’s preeminent contemporary dance company, recognized internationally for its artistic excellence and innovation. She explained that the company’s mission is to “foster connection and explore the human condition through dance,” using movement as a way to tell stories, ask questions, and bring people together across backgrounds and generations.
Ballet BC mounts approximately 40 performances each year, reaching about 62,000 audience members worldwide, through local seasons, tours, and special presentations. Beyond the stage, a major focus is community engagement and education: more than 10,000 people locally participate annually in outreach programs that include workshops in schools, open dress rehearsals for public-school students, and partnerships with community organizations. Julia emphasized that these initiatives are designed not only to build future audiences, but also to give young people access to professional-level art experiences they might otherwise never see.
A distinctive aspect of Ballet BC is its approach to supporting artists. Unlike many companies that rely heavily on short-term contracts or gig work, Ballet BC’s core dancers are full-time salaried professionals, receiving year-round support that allows them to focus deeply on their craft. In addition, dancers are encouraged—and given structured opportunities—to create and produce their own choreography, making Ballet BC a kind of artistic laboratory where performers are also emerging creators and leaders.
Julia and Marco spoke about the company’s exciting new home on Granville Island, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as both a rehearsal space and a community hub. This new centre allows Ballet BC to expand its rehearsal capacity, host workshops and community events, and deepen its presence in Vancouver’s cultural landscape. The speakers also touched on the financial and artistic challenges of maintaining high standards while keeping performances accessible and inclusive, noting that community support, philanthropy, and partnerships are key to sustaining their work.
In the Q&A session, members asked about how Ballet BC differentiates itself from more traditional ballet organizations, the evolution from classical to contemporary repertoire, and how the company balances experimentation with audience expectations.
Julia and Marco highlighted Ballet BC’s emphasis on contemporary choreography, collaborative creation, and diverse artistic voices, all underpinned by rigorous classical training. They stressed that Ballet BC aims to be both world-class and welcoming—a company that brings cutting-edge dance to Vancouver while remaining deeply rooted in the local community.
President Joan closed the program by thanking Julia and Marco for their thoughtful presentation and drawing a parallel between the discipline and dedication required in professional dance and the commitment Rotarians bring to their projects and service.
The Ballet BC program offered members not only a window into a leading arts organization, but also a reminder of the power of creativity, partnership, and community engagement in enriching civic life.
Closing Remarks
The meeting concluded with a toast by President Joan Posivy:
"A toast to dedication – in dance and in Rotary service –
and to all who use their talents to create positive change in the world."
Director, Philanthropy – Medical Acute
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Canadian Blood Services, 4750 Oak Street, Vancouver
Appointment slots: 11:00–11:45 AM
We usually meet for coffee nearby about an hour before — come early and join us!
