The Canadian Society of Physician Executives
2011 Excellence in Medical Leadership Award (Chris Carruthers Award)
Dr. Jack Kitts, CEO and President
The Ottawa Hospital
The CSPE Award recognizes physicians who make an outstanding contribution to the development and mentorship of medical leaders in the field of health services leadership and management. The 2011 recipient of the CSPE award is Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital.
In his role as CEO he has lead the hospital through a significant merger (Civic, General, Riverside and Grace Hospitals), to a recognized successful academic tertiary hospital on three campuses. The medical staff has successfully integrated after this forced merger. With a budget of over 1 billion dollars, The Ottawa Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Canada.
One of his successful leadership approaches has been to always have an open door policy. As such whether you are a front line worker or senior physician Jack will always make time to meet with you. He regularly meets with young physicians seeking career advice and guidance. Several members of the community have asked him to meet with their sons or daughters who are interested in pursuing medicine as a career, and he has met with them willingly. As such he has been an excellent mentor to young physicians.
His commitment to physician leadership and its clinical relationship continues today as he continues to practice part time in the pre operative assessment clinic.
At the National level Dr. Kitts’s recent appointment to the Chair of the Health Council of Canada demonstrates to all physicians the importance of physician leadership at the national level, as our health system is in a transformational time. His position also indicates the importance to physicians to find the time to undertake these additional leadership roles.
As the CEO of the largest hospital in the Champlain LHIN (local health integrated network) he has played a pivotal role in the development of an integrated health system for this area of Ontario.
Other key positions directly related to leadership and particularly physician leadership are his present roles as Chair of the OHA Physician Provincial Leadership Council and Chair of The Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations (ACAHO).
Dr. Kitts is an outstanding leader. I have watched his development as a health care leader since his appointment at the new CEO of The Ottawa Hospital. He has matured from an excellent medical leader in his previous position, into a seasoned and distinguished chief executive officer.
One of Dr. Kitts’ most endearing qualities is the time he spends with future leaders in the organization encouraging them to pursue their goals in the health care delivery system, whether it be through the management route or through other professional endeavors.
I feel that Dr. Kitts is one of a very small group of health leaders who is truly making a difference not only in the leadership of his organization but also in the much needed leadership at the provincial and national levels of our health care system.
James R Nininger
Former President and Chief Executive Officer
The Conference Board of Canada
To best summarize Dr. Kitts’ leadership style, I would simply state that he leads by way of example. He is present and engaged at all senior management team committee meetings. Dr. Kitts has regular meetings with all clinical department chairs. He keeps all department and division heads well informed of all hospital projects and initiatives. He has open discussions with physician leaders and any decision affecting health care delivery is an informed decision. Dr. Kitts has also instigated breakfast meetings with the CEO and small groups of front line physicians to allow for candid one on one dialogue.
In my career, I have worked with many CEOS and Dr. Jack Kitts is by far one of the most talented leaders I have had the privilege to work with.
Éric Poulin, MD MSc FRCS C
Surgeon-in-Chief
The Ottawa Hospital
Dr. Kitts has been an outstanding role model and mentor for developing physician leaders. He recognizes the importance of physician leadership in delivery world-class health care and makes an effort to identify and develop potential physician leaders.
Dr. Kitts has demonstrated his commitment by supporting and sponsoring physicians for formal leadership training through CSPE and other opportunities. I am one of several physicians he has sponsored to complete an EMBA. With all EMBA candidates, he provides mentorship and supervises healthcare consulting projects which result in improving healthcare delivery.
Over the past year, he recognized that female physicians are under-represented in healthcare administration leadership. He supported the development of a Female Physician Leadership committee at the Ottawa Hospital, including financial support to conduct the research necessary to understand the barriers and enablers for female physicians to assume leadership roles.
Virginia Roth, MD, FRCP
Director, Infection Control Program
The Ottawa Hospital