Halton Healthcare announces new president & CEO

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Halton Healthcare has announced Melissa Farrell (pictured) as the organization’s new president & CEO, effective June 5, 2023. Ms. Farrell succeeds Denise Hardenne, who is retiring after nine years as president and CEO, and a full 23 years of outstanding leadership at Halton Healthcare.

Melissa currently serves as the president of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, where she leads an innovative multi-site academic teaching hospital, affiliated with McMaster University.

Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Melissa had a long and distinguished career largely focused in the public sector, including a role as assistant deputy minister, Acute and Emergency Health Services for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Melissa is currently a board member of the Ontario Hospital Association, and serves as chair of both Mental Health Partners, the Ontario Health West Mental Health Table and the Greater Hamilton Health Network.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master’s Degree in Planning from Queen’s University and has continued educational development in leadership programs at Harvard Business School, Ivey Business School and the Rotman School of Management.

“Melissa’s depth of knowledge in hospital operations, coupled with her expertise in the provincial healthcare system, her strong values-based leadership skills and her strong focus on relationships, makes her well-suited to lead our organization in the next phase of our journey to deliver on our purpose – To Care – and to realize our vision of providing exemplary patient experiences, always,” said Richard Nunn, chair of the Halton Healthcare board of directors.

“I am thrilled about this wonderful opportunity and look forward to leading this outstanding organization that is known for providing exceptional care and for its dedicated and talented team of professionals. I am excited to get to know the organization better and the growing communities that Halton Healthcare serves,” said Farrell.

“Healthcare is constantly changing. I look forward to building on the strong foundation that is well established at Halton Healthcare and to helping evolve and support the current and future needs of our communities and our teams,” she added.

“Advancing Halton Healthcare’s strategic goals, including human resource and health system transformation planning, as well as both staff and community engagement opportunities will remain priorities under Melissa’s leadership,” said Nunn. “Melissa’s collaborative approach and reputation as a dynamic leader in the health system will benefit both Halton Healthcare and the people we serve.”

Melissa Farrell replaces Denise Hardenne who has had an exemplary career in healthcare of more than 36 years, including her time as a president & CEO. Ms. Hardenne will retire on March 24, 2023. Hilary Rodrigues, senior vice president Corporate Services, Diagnostics and chief financial officer, will assume the role of interim president and CEO until Melissa begins on June 5, 2023.

“During her tenure as president and CEO, Denise oversaw Halton Healthcare’s transformation into the high performing healthcare organization it is today. Perhaps most notably, she successfully delivered three major hospital infrastructure projects that have translated to better healthcare services for the residents of Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills,” noted Samantha Horn, vice chair, Halton Healthcare Board of Directors.

“We appreciate her dedicated leadership and wish her all the best in her retirement. We want to thank Denise for her invaluable contributions to Halton Healthcare and we extend our appreciation to Hilary for his support during this transition period.”

About Halton Healthcare
Halton Healthcare is an award-winning healthcare organization comprised of three community hospitals – Georgetown Hospital, Milton District Hospital and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Together, these hospitals provide healthcare services to more than 325,000 residents in the communities of Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville. Halton Healthcare hospitals have been recognized for their best practices in a number of patient safety and patient care initiatives. For more information, visit www.haltonhealthcare.com.