From left, C-PH President and CEO David Acker, Peter Van de Water, Becky Van de Water, Dr. John Dewar, and C-PH Board Chair Margaret Madden.

POTSDAM -- Peter and Becky Van de Water of Canton were honored with the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Board of Directors Community Service Award recently during the hospital’s annual corporate membership meeting at C-PH’s main campus in Potsdam.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital Board of Directors Chair Margaret Madden presented the award, the hospital’s highest recognition for service to the community. It is awarded to exemplary leaders of advocacy for health care options in St. Lawrence County and in the engagement of the community in that process.

“Those who have met and had the privilege of serving in some capacity with Peter and Becky Van de Water share a deep respect and admiration for their commitment to helping worthy causes,” said Madden. “Their resume of civic involvement, volunteerism and community mobilization includes virtually every group that contributes to the well-being of Canton and the greater St. Lawrence County area.”

Peter Van de Water served on the C-PH foundation board from 2002 to 2010, including two years as board chair. He currently serves as the honorary chair of the capital campaign committee, which is steering the hospital’s ongoing “Constructing Healthier Communities” capital campaign.

Peter Van de Water was a co-founder of the Canton Community Fund. He has served on the advisory board for both fund and its parent organization, the Northern New York Community Foundation. He and Becky have been generous donors to both.

Becky Van de Water has been very involved with United Helpers, as a board member and member of the campaign committee for the Maplewood Project in Canton, and is a past member of the Canton Free Library board of directors.

Both Peter and Becky are very active members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton and have served in many service and leadership roles there.

Also recognized during the meeting was John Dewar, M.D., who was honored for his 23 years of service to the hospital’s board of directors. He recently reached the term limit available for a board member, so must now step down from the board for at least one year.

Dewar has been with C-PH for 28 years, joining the medical staff in 1984. He served as chief of medical staff from 1987-1988.

Though he recently retired from private practice, Dewar continues to serve as hospital medical director for chemical dependency, and assists with surgeries.

Dewar has made a visionary impact on local communities over the years, identifying, along with his wife, Sandra McCloy, M.D., the need for rural practitioners familiar with North Country culture, and for founding C-PH’s rural medical education program.

“Personally, I have greatly valued his insightful wisdom and ability to frame the board’s decision in the realistic context of medical practice today” said Madden.

In other business conducted during the meeting, James Theodore, Strategic Planning Committee Chair, shared the slate of proposed new corporate members, all of whom were unanimously approved by the membership. They include Doris Chenier of Massena, Ruth Fishbeck of Norwood, Brian Francey, D.D.S. of Canton, Mark Goodnow of Winthrop, Dan Hayden of Canton, Ann Hazan of Canton, Gregory Healey, M.D. of Canton, Stacey Howlett, D.D.S. of Norwood, Mary Jones of Potsdam, Eugene Kaczka of Hannawa Falls, Cindy Lawrence of Canton, Sandra McCloy, MD of Potsdam, Carol Neubert of Canton, Carli Schiffner, Ph.D. of Canton, Peter Turner of Potsdam and Andrew Williams, M.D. of Potsdam.

Proposed new board members were also approved during the meeting, including Edward Mucenski of Potsdam, Ronald Berry of Potsdam for a renewed term, Judy Chittenden of Canton for a renewed term and Spencer Thew of South Colton for a renewed term.

David Acker, president and CEO of Canton-Potsdam Hospital, outlined hospital plan updates, recruiting efforts, capital projects and community partnerships.

Treasurer Kathryn Mullaney presented the annual treasurer’s report.