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Matt Anderson to become CEO of Toronto LHIN

TORONTO – After a national search, the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has announced the appointment of Matthew Anderson as the new Chief Executive Officer.

“We are very pleased that Matthew Anderson (pictured), currently Senior Vice President of Performance and Technology for University Health Network (UHN), one of Canada’s largest academic health science centres, will be joining the Toronto Central LHIN effective April 14, 2008,” said Mohamed Dhanani, Chair.

“Matthew is an energetic, dynamic leader whose approach symbolizes what we believe is the future of healthcare in this city. He is known for his creative, collaborative solutions to challenges and for his willingness to work across boundaries.”

In 1998, Mr. Anderson became one of the youngest Chief Information Officers of a Canadian academic health sciences centre. He quickly helped establish a five-year, $50 million capital plan to move UHN to a completely electronic patient record.

As the Senior Vice President of Performance and Technology for UHN, Mr. Anderson has been responsible for performance improvement strategies including supporting clinical relationships outside of UHN. He had operational responsibility for programs such as Medical Imaging, Bio-Medical Engineering and Information Systems.

In addition to his work with UHN, Mr. Anderson has served as Executive Lead for the Toronto-based, 13 organization Shared Information Management Services (SIMS) Partnership (comprised of Bridgepoint Health, Central Community Care Access Centre, COTA Health, North York General Hospital, Providence Healthcare, St. John’s Rehab Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre, Toronto East General Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, West Park Healthcare Centre and Women’s College Hospital).

With similar values, these organizations have been identifying, planning and implementing joint information, safety and process improvement initiatives that are contributing to a coordinated and integrated health care delivery system.

Mr. Anderson has also served as e-Health Lead for the Toronto Central LHIN. In this role, he has been responsible for executing the e-Health strategy for the LHIN.

“A recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award by Report on Business, Matthew’s accomplishments have been recognized nationally,” said Mr. Dhanani. “He has been named Canada’s CIO of the Year at the Canadian Information Productivity Awards and has received the ‘Who’s Who in Healthcare’ award. He is an exceptional leader who has made an outstanding difference for the advancement of health care throughout Canada.”

A native of East York, Mr. Anderson is married with three children. A member of the sandwich generation who has both parents and in-laws who require supports in the home, he has had first-hand experience with the challenges of chronic diseases and the health care system.

“I love the City of Toronto, its diversity and cultures and am proud of the health care services in this LHIN,” said Mr. Anderson. “I look forward to enhancing them by improving the co-ordination of services through innovative approaches.”

The board welcomes Mr. Anderson to this very exciting chapter in the transformation of Toronto’s local health care system and extends its appreciation to the staff of the LHIN, particularly Acting CEO Bill Manson for his sound leadership, and Laura Pisko-Bezruchko, Senior Director, Planning Integration and Community Engagement, for their continued support during the transition.

“Matthew’s success in his various portfolios has depended on his skills as a collaborative leader who was able to deliver results,” said Mr. Dhanani. “He will now use these skills to build positive working relationships across health sectors to ensure that the integration mandate of the Toronto Central LHIN is achieved.”

The Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is a crown agency responsible for planning, integrating and funding 196 health service providers, including hospitals, long-term care homes, mental health and addictions agencies, community support services, and the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre. Established under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006, as one of 14 LHINs across Ontario, the Toronto Central LHIN administers an annual health service provider budget of $4 billion.