To Michael Schreiner and Anthony Muzzillo, local business owners and loyal supporters of the RIH Foundation, giving back to the place they call home is not a simple gesture; it is a way of life – a profound commitment to serving the community that has done so much to support them. For Anthony and Michael, Kamloops is the place where their families have thrived for two generations. Throughout the years, they have witnessed the life-saving care offered at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) and the significant impact it has had on their families, friends, and employees. With this connection in mind and the opportunity to pay it forward as joint owners of Smith Chevrolet Cadillac and Kamloops Hyundai, Anthony and Michael embarked on a mission to help shape the future of healthcare in our region.
In 2019, Anthony and Michael pledged a five year commitment of $200,000 to the RIH Foundation’s Together We Rise Campaign, supporting the vital services that held a special significance in their hearts. This generous gift has helped to shape the way patient-centred care is delivered at RIH, touching the lives of countless patients, families, and staff members. As a testament to their compassion and philanthropy, the RIH Foundation named a private maternity room in Obstetrical Services, a private patient room in the Neurosciences and Trauma Unit and the waiting room in Respiratory Services, in their honour.
Recently, the true magnitude of Anthony and Michael’s gift came full circle when not one but two of their employees welcomed and cared for their newborn babies in the very maternity room named after them. This heartwarming coincidence is a beautiful example of the direct impact donors can make on the people closest to them when they give to the RIH Foundation.
“On April 15th, my wife Kaydin and I welcomed our son, Anden, into the world. We could not believe our eyes when we discovered that our maternity room was the same room named in honour of Anthony and Michael. Life has a magical way of showing us that we are exactly where we are meant to be. We are eternally grateful to Michael and Anthony for choosing to support a part of the hospital where life’s most precious moments unfold. The comfort and privacy of this room allowed us to solely focus on bonding with our precious newborn baby.”- Bram Hermsen, valued employee of Anthony and Michael & Kaydin Crane Hermsen, Registered Nurse in the RIH Oncology Unit.
Maternity room 3-328 is one of the most preferred rooms on the unit because of its close proximity to the care team station and bright spacious windows that provide natural light and warmth throughout the day.
“It is hard to put into words the gratitude we have for donations. This generosity has helped us provide amazing private rooms with the most up to date equipment so families can welcome their newborn children into the world with privacy and safety. The RIH obstetrical team is thankful everyday!” – Teressa Allwood, Director of Clinical Operations, Royal Inland Hospital.
Just after Michael and Anthony completed their pledge to the RIH Foundation at the beginning of 2023, they successfully sold Smith Chevrolet Cadillac and Kamloops Hyundai to Bannister Automotive Group, also a family-run business. As they reflect on their experience, they are deeply grateful to have been a part of an industry so invested in giving back. Both Michael and Anthony firmly believe in the principle of reciprocity and feel humbled by the opportunity to have been a part of something much greater than themselves.
“We hope that our gift acts as a catalyst for positive change, inspiring others to give in whatever capacity they can. We envision a united community where every business, organization, and governing body with staff who rely on the services at RIH, contribute to our hospitals growth and success. Every act of kindness, every donation, and every pledge holds the potential to create a brighter future for those in need. You do not have to give big or all at once to make a meaningful difference, you are becoming part of a greater mission for the common good.” – Anthony Muzzillo & Michael Schreiner
