By Rik Ganderton, President and CEO, RVHS
Our senior management team and I wish continued success to Darrell Sewell, joint vice-president (VP) of human resources for Lakeridge Health and Rouge Valley Health System.
The human resources (HR) needs and complexities of each hospital corporation have grown significantly since Darrell accepted the joint role some six years ago.
Upon much personal reflection Darrell has determined that at this time he needs to focus on his growing scope of responsibility at Lakeridge Health and has decided to continue in his role as vice-president at Lakeridge full-time and to relinquish his role as VP at Rouge Valley. I can understand the increasing demands on him in this very complex joint senior executive position.
Darrell's leadership will be missed at Rouge Valley. Among the many accomplishments Darrell and his team in human resources have led and implemented at Rouge Valley are:
* ARC (Accountability, Respect and Caring) training for all staff and physicians;
* ALF (Advanced Leadership Foundations) leadership and management competency training for both Rouge Valley and Lakeridge Health, and leadership competency assessment (Halogen);
* Growing our commitment to respect, workplace violence prevention, and codes of conduct through several initiatives including ARC, Clearview Connects, revised Respect in the Workplace and Code of Conduct policies, etc. which allows any staff member or physician to identify any workplace issues confidentially;
* Communicating and implementing policies and programs to meet legislative obligations and commitments eg.) Accessibility for Ontarians Disabilities Act customer service training, Bill 168 Risk Assessments, Ontario Disabilities Act, accessibility plans, etc.;
* Ongoing management of recruitment, workforce assessment and adjustments, occupational health and safety improvements, attendance support and disability management supports, collective agreement negotiations and compliance, pay equity plans, compensation administration and the successful implementation of a payroll system (Meditech PP);
* Recognition culture established through programs like our Top of the Valley Service Excellence and Rouge Valley Spirit Days; and
* Creation of the joint HR service delivery model between Rouge Valley and Lakeridge Health, which has created many savings and efficiencies.
Darrell informed his human resources team earlier this month and wants to share his decision with the hospital at large.
He has provided us with much notice allowing me to consider how to replace this leadership position. Darrell will maintain his joint VP role at Rouge Valley until Aug. 31, 2010.
Much of the joint HR portfolio will continue to operate including the joint services provided by Gord Fitzgerald (labour and employee relations), Randy Fallis (transactional HR services ++), and some services under Occupational Health Safety and Wellness (OHSW).
However, Peter Clancy will be returning full-time to Lakeridge Health as director of OHSW, and Karen Clark will become the full-time director of OHSW at Rouge Valley, effective September 1, 2010.
Let me say it has been a pleasure to work with Darrell. His collaborative approach to complex and challenging issues has been highly valuable to Rouge Valley and me personally. I know we will continue to work with him in the Central East LHIN in his role as a vice-president at Lakeridge Health.
All the best to you Darrell. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to our hospital system.
- Rik