After an extensive national search, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital had to look no further than its administrative offices to appoint a new president and CEO. The current vice-president of integrated care, Karen Davies, will take over the helm Aug. 7 from retiring president Robert Biron. A vote of confidence from the board of directors that Davies sees as a privilege.
Davies credits the team at STEGH for the manner in which they have been able to navigate the facility through the pandemic.
She acknowledges the work of former CEO Paul Collins who implemented the Lean Management System at STEGH. A system that takes a long-term approach to continuous improvement to enhance, in this case, the patient experience at the hospital.
Davies played a critical role in the $100 million expansion and move into the new north tower in 2017. She says moving forward, a priority is the age and condition of the main building that dates back to 1954.
She notes the hospital staff has been in a “sustained emergency state” throughout the pandemic.
From now until August, Davies will work with outgoing CEO Robert Biron during a “stabilizing period” at the hospital.
Securing an MRI remains a top priority for the hospital, assures Davies.
Board chairman Peter van der Westen notes Davies has the right leadership qualities, experience and values to move the hospital forward in this “challenging time.”
Davies also holds an Adjunct Clinical appointment at the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing at Western University. Something Davies calls a unique opportunity where she can talk with and teach nursing students. Making sure they understand “what it really looks like to work in healthcare.”
