Ontario's hospitals are guided by a unique governance model that relies on community members volunteering their time, expertise, and lived experience to ser​​​ve on local hospital boards. To celebrate the incredible work of these individuals, the Why I Serve series profiles hospital board members from across the province, exploring why they chose to serve, what they have learned along the way, the impact of local leadership, and the rewards of contributing to an organization that plays a pivotal role in their community.  

In this issue, Judy Cayford, Board Chair at Rural Roads Health Services shares their reflection on governance, what the role means to them, and why serving continues to matter. 

What inspired you to serve on your local hospital board? 

I was inspired to serve on my local hospital board because I care deeply about helping others, strengthening my community, and being part of something that makes life better for the people around us. I have always believed that when people are in need, whether they are facing illness, hardship, or uncertainty, they deserve support, respect, and care close to home. Our hospital is one of the most important places in our community, and serving on the board gives me an opportunity to contribute to its strength, sustainability, and future. 

As a mother of four, a grandmother of ten, and someone who has opened my home over the years to as many as eighteen people who needed support, I have seen how much difference compassion, stability, and encouragement can make when someone is going through a difficult time. Service has always been part of who I am. 

What do you enjoy most about serving on the board? What has been the most rewarding aspect of your governance journey so far? 

What I enjoy most is working with people who are committed to the same purpose: making sure our hospital can meet the needs of the community. I value the learning, the teamwork, and the opportunity to be part of thoughtful decisions that affect patients, families, staff, and the future of local health care. 

The most rewarding part has been seeing how governance, when done well, can support positive change and help ensure that our hospital remains a trusted and vital part of the community. 

How does having local community members around the board table strengthen hospitals and the communities they serve? 

Local community members bring lived experience, local knowledge, and a strong sense of accountability to the board table. They understand the needs, challenges, and hopes of the people the hospital serves because they are part of that same community. That perspective helps ensure decisions are grounded in real community needs and that the hospital continues to reflect the values of the people who depend on it. 

I have been actively involved in the Tillsonburg community for many years, including sixteen years as a Tillsonburg Lion, serving as president of the board of a nursery school, working in law where helping people is central to the work, and serving as a board member for more than six years. After almost forty years of marriage and a lifetime rooted in this community, I want to continue doing my part to make our community and our hospital stronger. 

How has serving on the board changed your perspective on health care? 

Serving on the board has helped me see health care from a broader perspective. I have gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of running a hospital and for the dedication of the staff, physicians, volunteers, and leaders who work every day to provide care. It has also reminded me that strong health care depends not only on clinical excellence, but also on good governance, planning, financial responsibility, and community trust. 

As a board chair, what excites you most about this new chapter of leadership? 

What excites me most is the opportunity to help lead with purpose, collaboration, and a strong connection to our community. As board chair, I look forward to supporting good governance, encouraging open and respectful discussion, and working with fellow board members and hospital leadership to help guide the organization through both opportunities and challenges. It is a privilege to serve in a role that can help shape the hospital’s future. 

Hospitals play a vital role in the communities they serve. What does it mean to you to help lead an organization with such a significant impact on people's lives? 

It means a great deal to me. A hospital is more than a building; it is a place people turn to in some of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. To help lead an organization with that kind of impact is both humbling and inspiring. I feel a strong responsibility to support decisions that protect quality care, strengthen trust, and help ensure our hospital continues to serve our community well for generations to come. 

What advice would you offer to someone who is considering joining a hospital board? ​​​

I would encourage them to come with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a genuine commitment to serving the community. Hospital board work requires listening, asking thoughtful questions, respecting different perspectives, and understanding the responsibility that comes with governance. It is important work, but it is also very meaningful. If you care about your community and want to help shape the future of local health care, it is a rewarding way to serve.​