Bernard Stotland, 2009-2011
The ties that connect Bernard Stotland, FCA, to the Jewish General Hospital date back to his childhood. He can state with pride that he was a JGH baby—born in 1936, just two years after the hospital opened its doors. From 1945 to 1958, he also lived next door to JGH Executive Director Samuel Cohen in the Côte Sainte Catherine home that has since been transformed into the JGH Hope & Cope Wellness Centre.
Mr. Stotland is a community leader, a dedicated fundraiser and a professional chartered accountant and businessman. He is a founding partner of the WSBG chartered accounting firm, where he continues to consult on a regular basis. He sits on the board of Opéra de Montréal and is active in fundraising and management. As well, he is on the board of the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute, affiliated with the University of Montreal. B’nai B’rith and the State of Israel Bonds organization have benefited from his involvement, and he has raised funds for several Montreal synagogues. In June 2009, he and his wife, Merle, were honoured for their efforts on behalf of the Israel Cancer Research Fund.
Mr. Stotland’s involvement in the Jewish General Hospital dates back to the early 2000s. Aware of the hospital’s newly launched $200 million campaign, he volunteered as a fundraiser. That led to steady advances—first as Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Foundation, then Vice President of the hospital, and finally President.
Along the way, Mr. Stotland also took the time to co chair several editions of one of the most important JGH fundraising events, the annual Silver Star Mercedes Benz Golf Classic. In 2008, when Dr. Hartley Stern launched his first key initiative as Executive Director—to make the JGH the cleanest and safest hospital in Quebec—it was Mr. Stotland who ensured its success by stepping forward to chair the hospital’s new Cleanliness Committee. That meant familiarizing himself with the hospital’s inner workings, with in depth tours of the laundry, sterilization areas, heating plant, security, maintenance and much more.
Asked why he gives so much of his time, Mr. Stotland replies, “I go where the need is; I’m just drawn to it. I like to get things done.” As for his affinity for the JGH, he says, “I take great satisfaction in seeing patients making a good recovery, especially in one of Quebec’s premier healthcare institutions.”