December 5, 2005
Contact:
Cathy Cuylle
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 77517
Contact:
Linda Whitmore
St. Joseph's Health Care, London
519-646-6100, ext. 65294
(LONDON, Ontario) - The Boards of Directors at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph's Health Care, London (SJHC) today announced the appointment of Cliff Nordal as President and CEO of LHSC effective January 1, 2006. Cliff Nordal will assume this role in addition to his role as President and CEO of SJHC. Tony Dagnone, the current LHSC President and CEO, will retire on December 31, 2005.
The appointment of Cliff Nordal to lead LHSC, in addition to SJHC, was unanimously endorsed by the Boards of London's hospitals as an innovative approach to ensure both hospitals continue to work closely together to complete hospital restructuring in London, to maintain London's status as a premier academic health sciences centre, and to be responsive to the government's health care transformation plan.
"We are very pleased that Mr. Nordal has agreed to take on the role of President and CEO at London Health Sciences Centre, in addition to his position at St. Joseph's," said Jeff Low, Chair of LHSC's Board of Directors. "Cliff Nordal is the ideal CEO for both organizations at this time because of his knowledge of London's hospitals, his credibility with the community and his commitment to the redevelopment of the London hospital system to best meet the interests of our patients, physicians, staff and students".
The announcement of the dual appointment will not change the ownership and governance of either hospital corporation, or the Catholic mission of St. Joseph's. "This is not a merger of hospitals, rather a strengthening of one of the province's most successful hospital partnerships", said Paul Caplan, Chair of St. Joseph's Board of Directors, "We know that Cliff has the capabilities and determination required for the advancement of these great organizations and patient care for London-Middlesex and all who come to us from across the region and beyond".
"I am extremely honoured to accept the position of President and CEO at LHSC, a hospital with an outstanding reputation for providing high quality care and making significant medical advancements", said Nordal. "I am equally honoured to remain the President and CEO of St. Joseph's, an organization that demonstrates a unique blend of care, compassion and innovation. Together both hospitals are taking on new roles and responsibilities and making some of the most innovative program changes in this province in order to provide the best care possible to the people of London and region."
Through the leadership of Cliff Nordal and Tony Dagnone, London hospitals have led the province in health care collaboration and system integration. "It is has been my privilege to know Cliff Nordal for over 20 years and he has been a valued partner and health care leader in our community", said Tony Dagnone. "I have no doubt that Cliff will continue to advance London Health Sciences Centre's reputation for innovation and quality patient care".
London Health Sciences Centre is one of Canada's largest acute-care teaching hospitals and is dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching and research. LHSC has pioneered many national and international medical breakthroughs. Located in London, Ontario, LHSC encompasses three sites, South Street Hospital, University Hospital and Victoria Hospital; two family medical centres; and the London Regional Cancer Program. LHSC is the home of the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics). The research arm of LHSC is Lawson Health Research Institute, which is partnered with London's other teaching hospital, St. Joseph's Health Care, London. LHSC is affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians and staff at LHSC number close to 8,000 and together they provide care for more than 600,000 patients each year.
St. Joseph's Health Care, London is a major patient care, teaching and research centre with a distinguished legacy of service to London, Southwestern Ontario and the veterans of Canada, dating back more than 130 years. St. Joseph's unique blend of care and compassion extends over five key role areas include acute/ambulatory care, complex care and veterans care, long-term care, rehabilitation and specialized geriatrics and specialized mental health care. Facilities and services including St. Joseph's Hospital, Parkwood Hospital, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care and Regional Mental Health Care London and St. Thomas are part of the St. Joseph's family. Our research arm, the Lawson Health Research Institute, continues to direct their research to the development of new knowledge that is continually being applied directly to patient care. More than 400,000 patients annually receive care from close to 6,000 physicians and staff at St. Joseph's. St. Joseph's is affiliated with the University of Western Ontario.
Cliff Nordal - Bio
Cliff Nordal became the President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph's Health Care, London in April of 1998. Cliff earned a masters degree in business administration at York University and a Bachelor of Science degree in physics at the University of North Dakota. Cliff is certified with, has served as chair and remains a fellow of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives. He is also a diplomat of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Before joining St. Joseph's Health Care, Cliff was President and CEO of the Rehabilitation Institute of Toronto; the organization was created by the merger of Queen Elizabeth and Hillcrest Hospitals. Prior to his tenure at the Rehabilitation Institute of Toronto, he was President and CEO of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Toronto. Cliff participates actively in various health care policy deliberations at the local, provincial and national levels. He contributes extensively to the professional development of health service executives as a lecturer and author.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Health Administration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Member, Ontario Hospital Association, Hospital Report Strategic Advisory Committee
- Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario
- Member, Board of Directors, Catholic Health Association of Ontario
- Member, Board of Directors, Lawson Health Research Institute
- Member, St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation
- Co-Chair MOH/OHA Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals Divestment Governance and Administration Central Table
- Past Member, Executive Committee, Quality Health Care Network, Conference Board of Canada and The Ontario CQI Network
- Past-Member, OHA Board of Directors
- Past-Member, OHA Complex Continuing Care Committee
- Past-Chair, Southwest Hospital Planning Council (Metro Toronto)
- Past-Member, Executive Committee, Association of Canadian Teaching Hospitals
- Past-Member, JPPC Fiscal Advisory Working Group and Hospital Management Committee
- Past-Chair, Council of Chronic Hospitals of Ontario
- Past-Member, Long-Term Care Steering Committee, Metro Toronto District Health Council; Chaired, Sub-Committee - Strategic Planning for the Physically Disabled (1994-96)
- Past-Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian College of Health Service Executives, Chair, 1992/93, Elected Director for Ontario 1988/90
- Past-Member, Board of Directors, Canadian Association for Quality in Health Care
- Past-Member, Board of Governors, Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation
- Past-Chair, Administrators' Committee, Hospital Council of Metropolitan Toronto
- Past-Chair, Regional Geriatric Program for Metropolitan Toronto
- Past-Chair and Director, Board of Directors, IST-Healthcare Ltd.,
- Listed in Who's Who in Canada
- Listed as one of 150 people who helped define London (London Free Press, Oct. 20 2005)
