Bill Yuill, chairman and CEO of The Monarch Corporation, speaks ahead of a cheque presentation on June 23, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

HEALTH CARE

Bill Yuill’s foundation donates $5M to improve Medicine Hat’s cardiac services

Jun 23, 2025 | 2:25 PM

Medicine Hat’s famous philanthropic family has donated millions of dollars to improve cardiac care in southern Alberta.

The Yuill Family Foundation unveiled a $5 million cheque at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Friday that goes hand-in-hand with a recent investment by the Alberta government.

Bill Yuill, chairman and chief executive of the Monarch Corporation, told reporters it was an investment in the people of Medicine Hat and area.

“The population is getting a little older, and down here, there’s a lot of retired people — and so we just thought it was an opportunity to provide a service for them that would cater to them specifically,” Yuill said.

Earlier this year, the Alberta government set aside $5 million in its 2025 budget to improve intensive care units in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.

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Officials later announced the fresh provincial funding would expand Medicine Hat’s ICU by eight beds and Lethbridge by 34.

Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, said the Yuill foundation’s cash will bring “world-class cardiac care” to the area.

Officials unveil a large poster depicting the $5 million donation to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

“This gift will bring cutting edge cardiac technology, attract top medical professionals and ensure that life saving treatment is available in our own backyard,” Wright said.

He added the donation combined with the Alberta government’s funding “represents the kind of public and private partnerships that achieve extraordinary results.”

Yuill, his wife Elizabeth, MLA Wright, Heather Bach of the Medicine Hat Health Foundation and various other officials unveiled a poster depicting the donation to applause from those gathered in a hospital lobby for the presentation.

It’s important to invest in health care services outside Alberta’s two major cities Edmonton and Calgary, Yuill said after the presentation.

“When you’re not feeling well, that maybe the last thing you want to do is travel to Edmonton and have something done,” he said.

“If you can build up these regional centers, they can support themselves and provide a desirable service.”

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