NIAGARA, ON: The Interim Chief of Staff of the Niagara Health System (NHS) is a Family Physician from Fenwick who has held numerous senior medical staff leadership positions within the NHS and was Chief of Staff of the Welland Hospital from 1992 to 1998. Dr. Joanna Hope’s appointment is effective March 2, 2009.
"We welcome Dr. Hope to this important leadership role and look forward to working together to build strong and successful relationships with all of our stakeholders," says NHS Board Chair Betty-Lou Souter. "In this time of transition, the professional and practical skills Dr. Hope will bring to the role of Interim Chief of Staff will set the tone for a full and detailed review of the Medical Staff Bylaws and medical leadership structures."
Along with her busy Family Practice, Dr. Hope works as a Hospitalist (a physician who cares for hospitalized patients). She has a background in family medicine, obstetrics and emergency medicine. In addition, Dr. Hope is a current member of the board of Cancer Care Ontario, Central West Region. She was a board member of the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre from 2005 to 2008.
Dr. Hope is currently Chair of the Credentials Committee of the NHS and an ad hoc member of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC). The Credentials Committee is responsible for physician applications and reappointments; the MAC is made up of senior medical leadership appointed by the Board of Trustees to oversee issues related to quality patient care.
"One of my priorities will be fostering constructive working relationships across all levels of the NHS and in the community," says Dr. Hope. "Significant opportunities and challenges face the NHS, and this new role will allow me to be a part of these transformational changes that will provide patients in Niagara with better, safer care."
Dr. Hope will hold the position until a permanent Chief of Staff is selected through a national search, a process which could take up to one year to complete.
"I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Keith Greenway who willingly assumed the role of Acting Chief of Staff to provide leadership to the medical staff at a critical time," said Mrs. Souter.
For more information, please contact:
Caroline Bourque Wiley
Consultant, Public Affairs
905-378-4647, ext. 43113
cwiley@niagarahealth.on.ca
