University of Western Ontario alumna Bonnie Adamson ((MScN ’84, Nursing Administration) has been named the London Health Sciences Centre’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 25.
Adamson is a health care leader of provincial and national prominence, bringing an unparalleled background of success including leading one of the largest community teaching hospitals in the country as well as experience as a CEO of a smaller hospital in our region.
Bonnie Adamson
“We are very pleased to be able to attract a hospital leader of Bonnie’s stature,” says Peter Johnson, Chair of LHSC’s Board of Directors, noting Adamson’s appointment was unanimously supported by the LHSC Board. “Over the past three decades, she has built a very impressive record as a highly effective leader and has literally transformed the institutions that she has led.”
Since 2002, Adamson has been the President and CEO of North York General Hospital where she created a dynamic and innovative culture, led a financial turnaround and achieved breakthrough patient safety and quality results. At the centre of the SARS situation in 2003, Adamson successfully led the hospital through that most difficult and challenging time.
“Bonnie is a highly respected and valued colleague. She is a very experienced and skilled hospital leader with a strong record of success and a commitment to quality and patient safety,” says Cliff Nordal, current President and CEO, LHSC. “I am very pleased that she is joining London Health Sciences Centre and I am confident that she will provide the leadership required for the future.”
Adamson was the founding President and CEO of the Huron Perth Partnership in 1998, leading eight independent hospitals into a high performance, single integrated service delivery system. Prior to that, she enjoyed a 20-year career at LHSC and the former Victoria Hospital, serving in a variety of roles including Clinical Educator, Nurse Supervisor, Head Nurse, Director of Nursing and Vice President of Nursing.
She also served as the Vice President of Patient Networks and Alliances, creating the initial strategic vision and goals of enhanced partnerships with health care agencies across southwestern Ontario.
“I am honoured to lead London Health Sciences Centre into the future and to build on the work of those before us,” says Adamson. “The strength of London Health Sciences Centre is its people – staff, physicians, nurses, volunteers and Board. I look forward to working with them to advance London Health Sciences Centre’s mission of care, research and teaching.”
Tom Closson, CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association, says Adamson is a highly regarded leader who has distinguished herself from her peers by focusing on strategy, quality and collaboration.
“Bonnie has led high performing organizations, through difficult, transformational times, and ably managed an international crisis at the highest level in Canadian health care,” he says.
Dr. Michael Strong, Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and LHSC CEO selection committee member says Adamson shares his passion for London’s future as a leader in medical education and research.
“I am very much looking forward to working closely with not only Bonnie, but also the new President and CEO for St. Joseph’s Health Care (Gillian Kernaghan), in translating this passion into positioning London as a national and international leader in health care.”