Spotlight: Paul and Barbara Collings
In the Neighbourhood
Paul Collings, who grew up close to West Park, has experience with hospitals around the world. Now he and his wife Barbara are making a commitment to West Park’s future.
“Although unknown by so many for years, West Park provided such important care in a quiet way. As we step into the future with a brand-new hospital, my hope is that more people will be helped, and awareness will grow.”
That’s Paul Collings, a member of the West Park Foundation Board of Directors. He and his wife Barbara recently made a legacy gift commitment in support of the hospital’s future.
Paul grew up in Mount Dennis, close by West Park. As a child, he remembers feeling the hospital was a mysterious place, ‘the hospital up the hill.’ His mother volunteered at West Park in the late 60s, visiting chronic care patients.
Paul and Barbara met at a university fraternity party and married some 50 years ago. They raised their two sons, Greg and Jonathan, and then Barb worked with the Toronto District School Board. Paul carved out a brilliant career with a company providing automated transport and pharmacy drug management systems to hospitals around the world. Along the way, they spent a year in Singapore while Paul took the reins of the Asian operation.
Today, Paul operates a part-time business services consulting practice focused on hospital logistics and international business development.
Paul and Barbara have always been involved in local community projects. Additionally, they were close friends of Blue Jays great Tony Fernandez for many years. Through him, they became involved in supporting youth baseball programs in Fernandez’s home country of Dominican Republic while Paul served on the Tony Fernandez Foundation board. His sons were both ballplayers and his teenage grandson is currently playing at a competitive level, while a granddaughter plays competitive hockey.
Several years ago, Paul was introduced to West Park’s CEO, Anne-Marie Malek, and became interested in what was happening at the hospital.
“I didn’t have to listen to her for long to realize her leadership style, knowledge and commitment attributes. She is clearly someone who has done a fantastic job, and her efforts are a big part of what has led to the new hospital.”
When he was asked to join the Foundation board in 2014, Paul says it was an easy decision. “The role of West Park becomes more vital as the population ages and the need for specialized programs grows,” he says. While West Park managed to achieve remarkable results in the old facility, he believes the new hospital will enable it to become a “truly world class facility.”
Paul and Barbara have chosen to further contribute to West Park through their Wills. “It just seems a good way to manage our estate and influence where our assets will go and best express our values, after taking care of our family.,” says Paul. He hopes others will also consider a planned gift to support the hospital. “There are so many wonderful reasons to support West Park, and this makes it a little easier to do.”
