Band of Doctors Raises Funds
Six P.E.I. physicians turned their musical jam sessions into sold-out concerts that have raised more than $20,000 for the Prince County Hospital Foundation, ctvnews.ca reported.
The cover band, named the Flu Fighters, formed in 2024 when hospitalist Dr. Jonathan Sharpe recruited colleagues to cope with the pressures of practicing medicine in a strained health-care system. The group started holding weekly rehearsals after Sharpe drew inspiration from watching his children play in a high school ensemble.
Escape From Hospital Pressures
“It really is the best escape that we could have come up with,” Dr. David Antle, a Summerside family physician and president-elect of the Medical Society of P.E.I., told ctvnews.ca. “We’ve joked that it’s cheaper than therapy.”
Fundraising was not part of the initial plan when rehearsals began. However, after playing their first gig at a post-pandemic Halloween staff party at a two-storey space owned by emergency physician Dr. Steven MacNeill, public demand grew for more performances.
“It’s kind of blossomed into something much more than we ever expected, and we’re super proud of it,” Sharpe told ctvnews.ca.
Medical Equipment Purchases Benefit from Community Support
Funds raised by the band support the Prince County Hospital Foundation in Summerside, which purchases medical gear including X-ray machines, ultrasound equipment, ceiling lifts, and stretchers. Hospital foundations across Prince Edward Island fund most medical equipment purchases.
A national study indicates that P.E.I. relied more heavily on charitable donations for imaging machines in 2022-23 than many other provinces, according to data cited by ctvnews.ca.
Community members quickly rallied behind the band. MacNeill’s wife, Dr. Helga Reisch, and physiotherapist Sheila MacMurdo designed custom merchandise to sell in support of the hospital foundation.
Sold-Out Concerts on November 6 and 7
In 2025, the band performed at Summerside’s Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, a venue that seats nearly 300 people. The Flu Fighters are now preparing for two sold-out concerts scheduled for Nov. 6 and 7.
“The first one sold out in, I think, 27 hours, so they very generously added another date for us,” family physician Dr. John Morash, the band’s chief enthusiasm officer, told ctvnews.ca. He added that attendees are traveling from as far away as Ontario.
Beyond financial contributions, the musical collaboration is lifting spirits across departments. Dr. Tyler McDonell, medical director at Prince County Hospital, told ctvnews.ca that the band allows staff from different hospital corners to connect and see their colleagues in a vulnerable, fun environment.
Where Concert Ticket Proceeds Go and Venue Details
Where do the concert ticket proceeds go?
Proceeds benefit the Prince County Hospital Foundation in Summerside, which purchases essential medical equipment such as X-ray and ultrasound machines, stretchers, and ceiling lifts, ctvnews.ca reported.
How many people do the upcoming shows seat?
The concerts take place at Summerside’s Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre, a venue with a seating capacity of nearly 300 people, according to ctvnews.ca.
What inspired the creation of the Flu Fighters?
Hospitalist Dr. Jonathan Sharpe formed the band in 2024 after watching his children play in a high school music ensemble, bringing medical colleagues together to blow off steam, ctvnews.ca reported.
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