Halton Healthcare president to lead Ontario Hospital Association

With the Ontario Health system at what she calls “an important turning point,” Halton Healthcare President and CEO Melissa Farrell believes she and the Ontario Hospital Association’s (OHA) Board of Directors are ready to meet the rising demands.

Farrell will be leading the way after she was elected as the new Chair of the OHA Board at their annual meeting of members on Thursday (Sept. 26).

Farrell, who has been on the OHA Board since 2020, takes over for outgoing Board Chair Dominic Giroux, President and CEO of Hôpital Montfort, who served over the past two years.

“Melissa is a health system leader with extensive experience in both the public service and hospital sector,” said Anthony Dale, OHA President and CEO. “She is committed to working with system partners, government, and member hospitals building a high-performing healthcare system that meets the needs of the people of Ontario into the future.

“As Board Chair, Melissa will play a crucial role in helping ensure the OHA implements its strategic plan and delivers on our mandates.”

Farrell, who oversees the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Milton District Hospital, and Georgetown Hospital, was named President and CEO of Halton Healthcare in June of 2023.

Before that, she served as President of St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton where she led an innovative multi-site academic teaching hospital. She also had a previous long and distinguished career in the public sector and was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Acute and Emergency Health Services, for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Farrell, who sits on the Ontario Health Paediatric Partnership Table and Ontario Health’s Health System Advisory Committee and is also a member of the Halton Region System Leadership Advisory, has played key leadership roles on the Board in areas such as policy, advocacy, hospital finance, and governance – among others.

“Ontario’s health system is at an important turning point, as we are presented with new opportunities to innovate, integrate, and expand services to meet the rising demands and complex needs of our patients, teams, and communities,” said Farrell, OHA.

“The OHA Board of Directors brings valuable experience to the table, and I am excited to collaborate with Anthony Dale and the dedicated OHA staff to develop effective, long-term solutions that will enhance the resilience of our member hospitals and enhance patient care.”

Giroux will stay on as an active Board Member.

The OHA serves as the voice of the province’s public hospitals, supporting them through
advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement with the goal of helping hospitals build a better health system.