New president at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

HAMILTON, Ont. – St. Joseph’s Health System president and CEO Elizabeth Buller, along with St. Joseph’s Joint Boards of Governors chair Barb Beaudoin, and with the approval of the Diocese of Hamilton, announce the appointment of Michael Heenan, PhD (pictured), to the position of president of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), effective Nov. 27, 2023.

Mr. Heenan brings 22 years of progressive executive leadership experience in large community and academic hospitals and at the Ontario Ministry of Health, including as assistant deputy minister, Hospitals and Capital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, he holds the position of executive vice-president of Strategy, Corporate Services and chief people services, at Humber River Health.

Mr. Heenan is a service-based leader, who values transparency, engagement and collaboration. He is a community-minded health leader focussed on operations, the continuum of care, the importance of evidence-based research, and government planning and decision-making processes.

He has twice facilitated the governance and operational integration of two hospital systems (Unity Health and Trillium Health Partners) and has redesigned several quality processes to improve performance. His experience is broad-ranging, including overseeing the construction of a 320-bed long-term care home, and leading recruitment and wellness strategies. Within the Ministry of Health, he addressed hospital budget reform and hospital capital planning grants, in addition to his work within the ministry’s COVID response team.

A life-long learner, Mr. Heenan is familiar with Hamilton, having earned a PhD in Business Administration Health Policy Management, an MBA in Health Services Management, and Bachelor of Arts, all at McMaster University. He also familiar with SJHH, having held several leadership positions there between 2003-2009, including director Quality Planning and Performance Improvement before moving into leadership positions at other Ontario hospitals, including Trillium Health Partners, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto, and Brant Community Healthcare System.

“It’s an honour to return to St. Joe’s Hamilton where I started my career,” Mr. Heenan said. “I am excited about working with the board, the leadership team, all the physicians, staff and volunteers on continuing the mission of the Sisters and advancing care outcomes for the people of Hamilton.”

Mr. Heenan is a strong communicator who values leadership teams, partnerships, teamwork, and collaboration, and will be working closely with regional and provincial partners in healthcare.