Southlake Regional Health Centre expects to announce a new chief executive officer (CEO) in the coming weeks after sorting through more than 100 applications.
A consultant's report showcased the results of efforts to get feedback from staff and the community about the next person who will lead the hospital, after current CEO and president Arden Krystal retires in the new year.
“We’d like to thank everyone for sharing their thoughts on the future of health care and how Southlake’s next CEO should support our communities’ needs,” board chair Marilee Harris said in a news release. “It’s uplifting to have heard the shared optimism and willingness to collaborate to keep Southlake on a path of ongoing success.”
The search for a new CEO began when Krystal announced her retirement in July, with plans to step down in early 2024. She has served in the role since 2017.
The process has included a survey shared within the hospital asking about what qualities are desired in a CEO, with 124 anonymous responses received. A search committee also held consultation sessions with several groups, including the Southlake Nursing Council, health system partners and leadership team.
“It has been our goal from the beginning to undertake a comprehensive and thoughtful recruitment process,” vice-chair Diana Brouwer said. “This information serves a dual purpose by helping to inform the recruitment process, while supporting the new CEO to understand the needs of the team they will lead.”
The board has decided upon four thematic character traits for the new CEO after the consultation process with staff and the public. They include an advocate for excellence, collaborative team leader, visionary with innovative ideas and culture connoisseur.
“Delivering a wide range of community hospital services to northern York Region and south Simcoe County, as well as regional cardiac and cancer care programs to a broader geography isn’t easy,” the report said. “It takes collaboration … a champion to deliver clinical excellence. And vision to deploy a $550-million operating budget that protects Southlake’s reputation.”
You can read the summary consultation report on the Southlake website.
