New CEO at Sudbury’s Health Sciences North

SUDBURY, Ont. – Health Sciences North (HSN) and the HSN Research Institute (HSNRI) Board of Directors announced that Dominic Giroux (pictured), the president and vice-chancellor of Laurentian University, will be the new president and chief executive officer of HSN and HSNRI effective October 2, 2017.

Located in Greater Sudbury, HSN ranks among Ontario’s largest academic health sciences centres and among Canada’s top 40 research hospitals, with a $450 million budget and over 4,200 employees and physicians. It is affiliated with Laurentian University and its Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM).

President Giroux was the unanimous choice of the HSN and HSNRI selection committee.

“Today marks an exciting new path for HSN and HSNRI,” said Nicole Everest, chair of the HSN and HSNRI Boards of Directors. “With Greater Sudbury positioning itself as a hub of health excellence, we were seeking a CEO with a proven track record of delivering results, along with experience in an academic environment to advance our teaching and research missions. We feel we have found that and much more in Dominic, and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring HSN, HSNRI and northern Ontario to the next level.”

Giroux was one of four members of the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services, which made over 100 health-related recommendations in 2012. He chaired the board of NOSM and co-chaired the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS).

Dominic Giroux’s last day in the President’s Office at Laurentian will be August 18th. Laurentian’s Board of Governors has appointed the Vice-President, Academic and Provost, Dr. Pierre Zundel, as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor effective August 21st until June 30, 2019. A presidential search will not be initiated before Summer 2018. The next President and Vice-Chancellor is expected to be appointed in December 2018.

“I am thrilled that Dominic and his wife, Barbara, have made the choice to remain in Greater Sudbury. Both are important members of this community,” commented Jennifer Witty, chair of the Laurentian Board of Governors. “Dominic will do an exceptional job leading HSN and HSNRI, as he has done with Laurentian. These are anchor institutions that have a tremendous impact for Northern Ontario as a whole.”

Under Giroux’s leadership since April 2009, Laurentian initiated the construction of five new buildings and major renovations totalling $206 million, secured $80 million in private gifts and $64 million in government infrastructure investments.

Enrolment reached record levels while increasing the average entry grade. National Tri-Council research funding more than doubled, as did the number of Indigenous faculty. Laurentian now ranks among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities on Maclean’s rankings.

Reflecting on his tenure at Laurentian, Giroux, the university’s tenth and longest serving President, said, “I love and will always be passionate about Laurentian. We have so much to be proud of, and so much to be excited about as we look out into the future with an outstanding team in place. It has been a privilege to lead our university community and work with exceptional and committed colleagues, students, Governors, alumni, donors and partners.”

With respect to his new HSN and HSNRI opportunity, Giroux added, “This was the most difficult decision I have ever made – leaving an organization I love, for two others that I know I will as well. Ultimately, the opportunity for our family to remain in Greater Sudbury, serving our community, taking on new exciting challenges leading two great organizations with already high quality teams in place during a transformational time for healthcare, was too great for me to pass up.”

Dr. Chris Bourdon, chief of staff and vice president of medical and academic affairs at HSN, was a member of the CEO selection committee. He says this is great news for the employees and physicians at HSN and HSNRI and, most importantly, the people they serve.

“Dominic has an outstanding ability to bring people together towards a common purpose, articulating and championing strategy,” says Dr. Bourdon, “He knows how to develop strong relationships with external partners. These skills will be instrumental as our healthcare system undergoes transformative changes. I look forward to working with him.”

With the announcement, Nicole Everest recognized the contributions of Dr. Denis Roy, who announced last fall his plans to retire. “In many ways, we consider Dr. Roy to be the founder of HSN and HSNRI. Dr. Roy helped create a globally recognized academic health sciences centre. He has instilled a culture of innovation, learning and patient-centred care that we will build upon.” Dr. Roy will leave his roles at HSN and HSNRI at the end of June.

Joe Pilon, HSN’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, has been appointed as interim CEO of HSN for three months effective July 1st. Dr. Janet McElhaney, vice president, research and scientific director at HSNRI, will serve as interim CEO of HSNRI during that same period.

“I’m excited to start meeting the talented people who make HSN and HSNRI top organizations. They are the health experts and I look forward to working with them, along with the North East Local Health Integration Network and health partners, to advance patient care, teach our future health professionals and enhance health research,” concluded Dominic Giroux.