Wolf Klassen named interim President & CEO at MGH

TORONTO – Michael Garron Hospital has announced that Wolf Klassen (pictured) will step into the role of interim president and chief executive officer (CEO) as of September 3, 2022. Wolf is currently vice president of program support and holds the impressive title of longest-serving Executive Leadership Team member and Vice President at MGH, having joined MGH over two decades ago. During his lengthy service, Wolf has supported and collaborated with six CEOs. He is well-positioned to assume this important leadership role and guide the organization during this transitional period.

Since commencing his leadership journey at MGH, Wolf has worn many hats, from overseeing MGH’s respiratory care program, surgery and mental health services, to strategic initiatives and leading the hospital’s Y2K project in 2000. Wolf has also spent time working at the Ministry of Health. In 2007, Wolf was seconded to the Ministry for six months to facilitate the provincial initiative focused on hospital accountability agreements.

In 2003, Wolf’s strong and poised leadership under pressure shone through during the hospital’s response to the SARS crisis. He was asked to lead the Command Centre at Scarborough Grace Hospital – ground zero for SARS in Toronto – during a critical time when the virus first made its appearance. This experience laid the groundwork for his role as executive lead of MGH and East Toronto Health Partners’ (ETHP) COVID-19 vaccination program. In late 2020, Wolf expertly led a team of over 350 staff – the largest program in the hospital’s history – in the successful delivery of over 600,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to East Toronto residents.

Wolf is passionate about mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders and is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. He founded MGH’s Administrative Residency Program 18 years ago – a program which has provided student placement and learning opportunities to over 100 master’s students. As a testimony to his mentoring skills, he was awarded the Canadian College of Health Leaders’ Mentorship Award in 2016.

During Wolf’s illustrious career at the hospital, he has continuously guided and modeled the inclusive, respectful and collaborative team culture that we take great pride in at MGH. He is steadfast and unwavering in his commitment to upholding our values of compassion, integrity, courage and accountability, and acting in the best interest of the community we serve.

The MGH board of directors will follow up shortly on its plans to initiate a comprehensive search for MGH’s permanent president and CEO.