MacIsaac to run Hamilton Health Sciences

(Update)

Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac will face a steep learning curve when he takes the leap from education to health care next year. He was picked from some 60 international candidates to become the new President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences. Despite having no health care background, starting in February, MacIsaac will be leading the second-largest hospital system in Ontario. Eryl McCaffrey is at Hamilton General Hospital with the details.

MacIsaac says he’s ready for the challenge.

After all, he’s used to switching sectors, this being his fifth career change.

Before coming to Mohawk in 2009, MacIsaac was the Chairman of Metrolinx and served three terms as Mayor of Burlington from 1997 to 2006.

He’s taking over for current HHS CEO Murray Martin, who’s retiring after 13 years.

MacIsaac will be managing Hamilton’s largest employer, HHS has more than 11,000 staff and 1,700 doctors, compared to Mohawk with 1,200 staff and 29,000 students.

Hamilton Health Sciences consists of seven hospitals, including Hamilton General, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, McMaster University Medical Centre and McMaster Children’s Hospital.

MacIsaac says although he doesn’t have medical experience, he has other valuable qualities; the very same characteristics that grabbed the attention of the HHS Board of Directors.

Rob: “I’ve been almost 20 years in public service and certainly have a broad network in the community and really going forward I think those community connections are going to be the future of health care, so I’m hoping I can tap into all of those.”

Paul Chapin is the Board Chair at Hamilton Health Sciences: “It’s not to say it wasn’t discussed and considered but at the end of the day, we saw his leadership skills, his ability to work in complex organizations, build them, engage stakeholders, connect for community. Complement the existing leadership team at HHS.”

He new job more than doubles MacIssac’s current salary. He’s expected to make between 540 and 650-thousand dollars a year, only slightly less than current CEO Murray Martin.

As for who will fill MacIsaac’s shoes, Mohawk’s Board of Governors is discussing recruiting a new President during a meeting next month.