Windsor’s CEO seconded to work as chief at LHSC

LONDON, Ont. – David Musyj (pictured), president and CEO of the Windsor Regional Hospital, has been seconded to the London Health Sciences Centre. Musyj becomes the acting president and CEO at LHSC effective on May 23. A media release from WRH said officials in London recently approached the hospital’s board of directors, and Musyj made the decision to accept after conversations with board members in Windsor.

“We wish David success in his role assisting LHSC,” said WRH Board Chair Patti France. “While we will miss David on a day-to-day basis, we are proud of his achievements here locally, extremely excited for his new opportunity, and confident in his leadership abilities.”

Recently, CEO and president Jackie Schleifer Taylor went on a medical leave of absence. While Schleifer Taylor has been away, Dr. Kevin Chan has been carrying out her duties.

“This secondment is open-ended, and Mr. Musyj will assume the responsibilities of leading our executive team and the broader LHSC organization,” LHSC chair of the board of directors Matthew Wilson said in a statement. “Additionally, I’m pleased to share that Dr. Kevin Chan will be returning to his role as corporate medical executive, effective May 23, 2024, and Dr. George Dresser will resume his position as deputy corporate medical executive at Victoria Hospital on the same date.

“Dr. Chan has done an outstanding job supporting Team LHSC in providing quality care to the community and advancing LHSC’s Strategic Plan. He is a gifted and passionate leader who prioritizes our vision and purpose in all that he does, from his shifts in the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department to collaboration across the health system. We are fortunate to have both Dr. Chan and Dr. Dresser returning to their roles to provide exceptional medical leadership as our physicians and credentialed professional staff continue in their important work of delivering high-quality care to our patients.”

In January 2021, the hospital fired then-president and CEO Doctor Paul Woods for taking trips to the United States during the pandemic.

Woods filed a $2.5-million lawsuit against the hospital, claiming his termination was in bad faith. London Health Sciences Centre argued Woods harmed his reputation with his “poor judgement and hypocrisy,” and it terminated his employment because he didn’t disclose the full extent of his international travel to the board.

The two sides settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount of money.

While Musyj is in London, Karen Riddell assumes the role of Acting President and CEO at Windsor Regional Hospital.

Riddell first arrived at Windsor Regional Hospital in 1999 and assumed an executive role in 2017. Four years later, she became the chief nursing executive and chief operating officer.

She’ll remain the chief nursing officer in addition to her new duties. Nicole Krywionek will support her in her new role as interim vice-president of the organization, responsible for critical care, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, patient relations, professional practice, corporate education and training, and clinical quality and safety.

“Karen is an incredible leader who supported WRH’s clinical team in navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and the more recent cyberattack,” said France. “It is a testament to WRH’s leadership that we have such incredible ‘bench strength’ to make the necessary changes to ensure continuously strong leadership.”