TORONTO, July 18, 2011 /CNW/ - Today, Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) Board Chair Peter Johnson made the following statement regarding OHA President and CEO Tom Closson:

"It is with deep gratitude for his four years of leadership that I announce that Tom Closson plans to step down from his position as OHA President and CEO at the end of his current contract in January 2012.

Tom was originally hired on a three-year contract that was extended for an additional year. Tom has decided not to extend the contract further as he wants to spend more time with his family. Tom will continue to be active in leading the OHA through the election and the immediate post-election period as the OHA contributes significantly to the public discourse about Ontario's health system.

During his tenure as President and CEO of OHA, Tom has made an enormous contribution to the OHA, its Board and the health sector. Under Tom's leadership the OHA Board and excellent staff have realized significant achievements, including:

• Approved and begun implementation of a new three year strategic plan in which the OHA is committed to enhancing the patient experience. The OHA 2010-2013 Strategic Plan is founded on the vision of achieving a high-performing health system
• Achieved consultative and collaborative working relationships with health system partners such as the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC), Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA)
• Released "Four Pillars: Recommendations for Achieving a High Performing Health System," a joint initiative with the OACCAC that identifies the strategic challenges facing Ontario's health care system, and outlines the actions that must be taken to ensure it can meet the access and quality of care needs of patients
• Assisted Member hospitals with the implementation of accountability agreement processes
• Launched myhospitalcare.ca, a website that provides comprehensive data on over 40 hospital performance indicators to patients and their families in an easy to understand format
• Promoted understanding of the need for significant changes in health services delivery by issuing "Ideas and Opportunities for Bending the Health Care Cost Curve" in partnership with the OACCAC and the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs
• Achieved precedent-setting contracts with Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) and Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU)
• Supported Member hospitals through the implementation of various pieces of legislation, including the Excellent Care for All Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act.
• Recognized in 2011 by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Canada as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada. The Institute only identifies 100 organizations and the OHA placed 20^th
• Achieved outstanding OHA Employee Engagement rate of 98% in 2011
• Strengthened and grew a broad range of educational offerings, including HealthAchieve, which continues to be the top health care conference in Canada and one of North America's premier conferences as measured by industry awards

The OHA's Board of Directors will launch a search shortly. In its planning, the search panel will consult with Members, staff and industry stakeholders to ensure that the successful candidate will have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to help the OHA advance Ontario's health system.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the OHA, I have expressed my thanks to Tom. There will be opportunities over the coming months for members of the health care community to express their appreciation to Tom for his leadership during his time as President and CEO of the OHA."