First virtual AGM recognizes health system innovation and the community response to COVID-19 and welcomes new Trustees
Whitby, ON – At its first virtual Annual General Meeting on June 18, Lakeridge Health celebrated a year of new services, partnership-building and innovation, and looked ahead at the organization’s plans in a world with COVID-19.
“As we reflect on the work of Lakeridge Health over the past year, we are proud of the remarkable progress we have made to serve the community better,” said Sharon Cochran, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “The Lakeridge Health team is reimagining health care and partnering with other organizations, patients and families in new ways to improve the health and wellness of the people we serve. The way we have come together to take on the fight against COVID-19 is a testament to all.”
The 2019/20 year-in-review highlighted the following achievements:
- Lakeridge Health together with 18 health and community service partners was one of the province’s first Ontario Health Teams, launching a new model to enhance health and wellness of our communities.
- A new 22-bed mental health unit was opened at Ajax Pickering Hospital, offering specialized 24/7 acute mental health services to local community members.
- Lakeridge Health became the first hospital in Ontario to introduce personalized predicted wait time times, starting with patients in the Bowmanville Hospital Emergency Department.
- Lakeridge Health, in close collaboration with public health, all levels of government and the community partners, launched a collective response to the pandemic to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Durham Region.
“The partnerships that have been built and strengthened this past year are enhancing the health and wellness of our communities,” said Susan deRyk, Interim President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “From launching the Durham Ontario Health Team to moving forward on the Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre to better meet the needs of our fastest-growing communities, together we are leading the way in regional health care.”
Voluntary integration to strengthen community mental health and addictions system
Also at the AGM, an important milestone was reached in the proposed voluntary integration of Lakeridge Health and Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS). Lakeridge Health’s Corporate Members approved this innovative and exciting partnership to extend services and create a better, more accessible mental health and addictions system within the community. Now we are moving to the next phase of the process.
Welcoming New Board Members and Celebrating Outgoing Member
The Board of Trustees welcomed two new members for a three-year term: Nancy Shaw of Oshawa who is the CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and Bill Sims of Bowmanville, the President and Owner of Durham Medical and President of the Durham Mental Health Services Board of Directors.
Jeff Beaton of Whitby, Shashi Bhatia of Pickering, Sharon Cochran of Whitby, Thelson Desamour of Pickering, Carion Fenn of Ajax, Ben Gray of Scugog/Brock, Cordelia Clarke Julien of Pickering, and Jeff Somerville of Whitby were re-elected for a three-year term and Shane Hardy of Ajax was re-elected for a two-year term as Trustees of Lakeridge Health.
See a full list of the 2020/21 Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees.
The Board also paid tribute to outgoing Board member, Glen Uens. During his nine years as a Board member, Glen contributed to strong governance while consistently amplifying the voice of the community.
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For more information, contact:
Sharon Navarro
T.905-453-7889
snavarro@lh.ca
