November 27, 2025— The Niagara Health Foundation is honoured to announce a transformational $2 million gift from the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation in support of the It’s Our Future campaign to help build the new South Niagara Hospital and the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute (NHKI). This generous contribution reflects the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation’s deep commitment to ensuring compassionate, high-quality healthcare is available close to home for families across Niagara, today and for generations to come.

In recognition of this extraordinary gift, Niagara Health and the Niagara Health Foundation are proud to name the Angiography Area of Diagnostic Imaging and the Laboratory of the South Niagara Hospital, as well as the Marotta Family Hospital Laboratory of Niagara Health, in honour of the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation.

For the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation, the decision to support the new South Niagara Hospital is rooted in a shared belief in community and a deep understanding of how vital access to care can be in life’s most critical moments. “Our motivation comes from knowing that, one day, any of us, our family, friends, or neighbours could need care at the South Niagara Hospital,” said Dr. Yousef Haj-Ahmad from the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation. “Supporting this project felt deeply personal because it’s about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about ensuring that when people in our community are at their most vulnerable, they receive compassionate, high-quality care close to home. Being part of building that future is our way of giving back to the place we love and the people who make it special.”

Inspired by family and guided by a legacy of giving, the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation emphasized that philanthropy has always been about creating opportunities and improving lives across Niagara. “Our grandchildren are the biggest inspiration behind our involvement. Thinking about the kind of community we want them to grow up in a place where compassionate, high-quality care is always available motivates us to give back,” shared Dr. Yousef Haj-Ahmad. “With several of our children working as doctors, we’ve seen firsthand the impact that excellent healthcare can have on families and communities. Supporting projects like the new South Niagara Hospital is our way of helping create a brighter, healthier future for our grandchildren and everyone in our community.”

The Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation has long been a generous supporter of initiatives that foster education, health, and community development across Niagara, including the creation of the new Engineering Department at Brock University, the indoor track at the Canada Summer Games Park, Niagara College, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Niagara.

“This remarkable gift from the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation represents the very best of Niagara generosity, compassion, and a shared belief in building a healthier future,” said Andrea Scott, President & CEO of the Niagara Health Foundation. “Their leadership and vision will inspire others to give, helping us create a hospital that truly reflects the spirit of this community.”

“We continue to be blown away by the amazing support for this hospital.  When the doors open, we will be able to say with pride that this has been a true community effort.  Thank you to the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation for their important gift; another critical contribution to this project.” – Mayor of Niagara Falls Jim Diodati and Harry Oakes, It’s Our Future Co-Campaign Chairs.

Set to open in 2028, The new South Niagara Hospital will redefine healthcare for the region with modern design, advanced technology, and patient-focused innovation. The facility will include state-of-the-art emergency and critical care departments with expanded capacity; comprehensive diagnostic imaging featuring MRI, CT, and ultrasound; and surgical and inpatient units designed for collaboration and efficiency. As a regional hub, it will feature centres of excellence in complex care, wellness in aging, and stroke care. The hospital will be fully digital, integrating smart technology and advanced infection prevention systems to enhance safety and quality of care. Co-designed with Indigenous partners, the hospital will incorporate Indigenous design principles that promote cultural safety and inclusivity. With more than 470 single-patient rooms, the South Niagara Hospital will provide compassionate, high-quality care close to home for patients and families across Niagara.