KDH announces 2016/17 Board of Directors

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that Karen Cooper has been appointed Chair of its Board of Directors and the Board has welcomed two new members: Margaret Harrison and Stephen Saslove.

Cooper, a distinguished lawyer who practices charity and not-for-profit law, succeeds outgoing Board Chair, Lis Angus. Cooper thanked Angus for her dedication to KDH since her election to the Board in 2008, and commended her for ably overseeing the operations of the hospital as Board Chair from 2014 to 2016.

“In 2015 Lis guided us during a time of transition as we selected an Interim CEO, Michel Bilodeau, and then our permanent CEO, Frank Vassallo,” she said. “Also during her tenure, KDH was twice recognized in the top 10 percent of Ontario hospitals for inpatient care, and in the last months, we developed our new strategic plan with an unprecedented level of community engagement.”

Angus continues to serve on the KDH Board of Directors as Past Chair.

Cooper also expressed her appreciation of the newly elected directors: “Margaret and Stephen are excellent additions to our skills-based Board; I look forward to working with them, as together we guide the KDH forward within our changing health system.”

Margaret Harrison

Margaret Harrison is a Registered Nurse and Professor Emerita at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Her work crosses hospital, community, and transitional care sectors and is marked by her commitment to community-based care and best practices.

Before joining Queen’s faculty in 2000, Harrison was Director of Professional Development and Research at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and Nurse Specialist, Research and Evaluation, at The Ottawa Hospital.

She has a B.N. from Dalhousie University, Master of Health Administration from University of Ottawa, and PhD (Health Sciences, Nursing) from McMaster University.

Harrison currently serves on the Board of the International Joanna Briggs Institute, and served previously on the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Board.

“I am keen to volunteer on the KDH Board,” Harrison said, ”particularly because the hospital is a dynamic force in our community – progressive and forward thinking in serving the local needs close to home. My career in nursing and research has been focused on finding and implementing best practices at the point-of-care. I hope this experience will add value as KDH’s care and new programs are planned in the next few years.

Stephen Saslove

Stephen Saslove is a semi-retired Chartered Professional Accountant who acts as an independent financial consultant and Certified Executive Coach. He owned and operated an independent auditing, accounting, taxation and management consulting practice for 30 years, retiring from public practice in 2014.

Saslove is also an avid teacher: he was a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa, taught at Algonquin College, and was a guest lecturer at the Institute of Economic Studies in Bucharest, Romania.

He has extensive governance experience, including as President and Chair of the Board of Ottawa Hillel Lodge Home for the Aged, and Treasurer for the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation.

Saslove holds a Commerce degree from Carleton University.

Saslove expressed his rationale for making a commitment to the KDH Board as follows: “I was very impressed with the reputation of KDH, both from its accreditation and from people I know who have been patients. I have professional and Board experience that I feel I can apply toward the continued growth and success of KDH. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to serve.”

Frank Vassallo, KDH’s CEO, commented on the caliber of the hospital’s Directors: “KDH is very fortunate in our Board of Directors for 2016/17,” he said. “Each one of these dedicated volunteers takes his or her commitment extremely seriously.”

“I believe that the oversight and guidance that volunteer Boards provide to Ontario hospitals is one of the strengths of our health system,” he concluded.

About Kemptville District Hospital

Kemptville District Hospital is Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest ranking bestowed by Accreditation Canada. Committed to building healthier communities, we are a model of hospital-led integrated health services within the provincial health system. Kemptville District Hospital consistently ranks among the top hospitals in Ontario for both patient and employee satisfaction. We pride ourselves on being a good partner within the system. Kemptville District Hospital provides primary care management services, acute care hospital services, and advanced orthopaedic care.

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

T: 613-258-6133 extension 223

Email: jread@kdh.on.ca

www.kdh.on.ca