November 09, 2001
Contact:
Nancy Lawrence
Media Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 77642
London Health Sciences Centre accepts resignation of pediatric neurology specialist
Two specialists to be recruited to replace departing physician
(LONDON, Ontario) -On November 8, 2001, London Health Sciences Centre/Children's Hospital of Western Ontario (LHSC/CHWO) received and accepted a resignation letter from Dr. Jane Gillett pediatric neurologist. The letter announced that Dr. Gillett will leave LHSC/CHWO 60 days from now. In this letter, Dr. Gillett acknowledged that she will continue to provide her dedicated service and expertise in the area of acquired brain injury to the children of Southwestern Ontario. She will do this as a coordinated effort between McMaster University, the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, The University of Western Ontario and the London Health Sciences Centre.
Hospital adminstration, including Dr. Murray Girotti, Vice-President Medical/Dental Staff, Dr. Tim Frewen, Chief of Pediatrics, and Tony Dagnone, President & CEO, have been aware for at least eight months that Dr. Gillett was considering relocating to Hamilton. In addition, they knew she was leaving the Department of Pediatrics CHWO and moving to the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Hamilton.
"Dr. Frewen did his best, with assistance from the Children's Hospital Foundation and resources from LHSC/CHWO, to try to counteroffer McMaster. Unfortunately, for several reasons, we were outbid. I am not aware, based on Dr. Gillett's letter to Drs. Frewen and Carol Herbert, Dean of Medicine at The University of Western Ontario, that the hospital's Scoping and Sizing initiative had anything to do with her decision," says Dr. Girotti.
"On behalf of the the Medical Advisory Committee and the LHSC Community at large, I would like to thank Dr. Gillett for here dedicated years of service to the children of SWO."
Mr. Dagnone and Dr. Girotti announced to LHSC staff today that a recrutiment process is now underway to not only replace Dr. Gillett, but to also hire a third pediatric neurologist.
"Working within our processes of the City Wide Medical Human Resources Committee and with Dr. Frewen, we will begin an immediate search for a replacement for Dr. Gillett in the area of pediatric neurology. We are aware of the tremendous ongoing clinical and academic burden carried by both Dr. Gillett and Dr. Simon Levin. As a result of this burden and the difficulty it may present in recruiting a replacement for Dr. Gillett, we will also begin the city wide medical human resource process of getting a third paediatric neurologist to assist Dr. Levin," says Dagnone.
