Joint Chief of Surgery and Medical Director, Perioperative Services

Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital

Grand River Hospital (GRH) provides exceptional care to patients in Waterloo-Wellington, Ontario, through highly experienced, knowledgeable and compassionate professionals. GRH provides a comprehensive range of care to patients across two main campuses, six partner locations for cancer and kidney care and three community treatment centres. GRH employs over 4,100 highly skilled and dedicated employees, over 700 professional staff (such as physicians and midwives) and 600 volunteers.

Located in the heart of Kitchener, Ontario, St. Mary’s General Hospital (SMGH) is the second-largest acute care hospital in the St. Joseph’s Health System and a Regional Cardiac Care Centre. SMGH proudly serves the residents of Waterloo, Wellington County, and extends their reach to Dufferin, Grey-Bruce and beyond. SMGH’s nearly 2,000 staff, physicians and volunteers provide excellent, compassionate care to hundreds of thousands of patients and families every year in their core areas of clinical focus.

The Joint Chief of Surgery and Medical Director, Perioperative Services is responsible for organizing and overseeing the medical care within the Department of Surgery at GRH and SMGH. The Chief of the Department is accountable to the Chief of Staff as well as to the Board of Directors of Grand River Hospital and the Board of Trustees of St. Mary's General Hospital. Collaborating with the other Medical Directors on matters pertaining to the overall operation of the department, the Joint Chief and Medical Director will create an environment that promotes commitment to evidence-based practices and improved patient outcomes.

Aligned with our mission, vision and values, the Joint Chief and Medical Director will partner with leaders across the hospitals and our community, inspire excellence in quality care, and lead a dynamic, motivated team. The role includes physician credentialing, privileging, individual performance evaluation and discipline and working closely with the members of the department to establish an interdisciplinary approach to patient-centred care.

The Joint Chief and Medical Director will cultivate a culture rooted in clinical excellence, transparency, and mutual respect. They are dedicated to coaching, mentoring, and nurturing the growth of medical leaders, serving as a role model committed to upholding high standards of care. Where improvement is needed, they will spearhead quality initiatives, engaging with the team to build a robust, high-caliber program that elevates patient care and professional development.

The preferred candidate will be a clinician leader holding an FRCSC, eligible for Ontario licensure, and distinguished by exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. The Joint Chief and Medical Director will also be expected to maintain active clinical practices at both GRH and SMGH. This role is anticipated to require a commitment of approximately two days per week.