People

Osler’s Bob Bell moving to the United Kingdom

BRAMPTON, Ont. – As earlier announced, Robert J. Bell (pictured at left), president and CEO of William Osler Health Centre, submitted his resignation to the board of directors, effective March 25, 2005. He will be relocating to London, England to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Osler board has appointed Robert (Bob) A. Richards as interim president and CEO, effective March 26, 2005, while the search process for a permanent president and CEO continues.

Bob Richards comes to William Osler Health Centre with a wealth of private and public sector experience, including four years in the mid 1990s as CAO of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, with an operating budget of $3.5 billion and 28,000 employees.

He also spent over 10 years in senior positions in the Regional Municipality of Peel, including a period as treasurer. Most recently, he retired as president and chief administrative officer of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Richards brings to the Osler organization a strong financial and administrative background combined with well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.

His thoughtful style and public sector experience equip him well to facilitate a smooth transition in leadership. He will lead the management team in addressing the many challenges and opportunities facing WOHC in the near term.

William Osler Health Centre is one of the largest hospitals in Ontario. As a regional referral centre, WOHC provides programs and services to nearly one million area residents. Facilities include acute care and ancillary healthcare in the growing and diverse communities of Etobicoke, Brampton and Georgetown, Ontario.

William Osler Health Centre is poised for considerable growth with the construction of a fourth hospital located in Brampton. Construction of this one million square foot modern facility is scheduled for completion in July 2007.