19.11.10
USA: CONGRESS postponed 22% cut in MEDICARE medical payments.
USA new political payment policies separates PRIVATE medicine from STATE funded mnedicine.
15.11.10
ONTARIO LABORATORIES CLOSING and REDUCING OPENING TIMES.
To cut costs of lab. tests, Ontario Government has put a maximum approx $300,000/year per GP that Govt. will pay for lab tests. (With a patient list of 2500/GP, this equals $125/patient/year). Over that amount the labs will be paid ZERO. No such limitations for Specialists. Result is closing of labs; reducing working hours; not opening on Saturday; not collecting blood samples from GP offices. Ontario govt. no longer pays for screening Vit.D testing.
7.11.10
HARVARD PROF.C.M. CHRISTENSEN Hons.BA ( Brigham Young U.) M.Phil (Oxon.) DBA (Harvard)
Harvard Business School Professor
Clayton M. Christensen is the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on innovation and growth. Professor Christensen holds a B.A. with highest honors in economics from Brigham Young University, and an M.Phil. in applied econometrics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He received an MBA with High Distinction from the Harvard Business School in 1979, graduating as a George F. Baker Scholar. He was awarded his DBA from the Harvard Business School in 1992. Christensen has served as a director on the boards of a number of public and private companies. He is currently a board member at Tata Consulting Services, Franklin Covey, W.R. Hambrecht, and Vanu Inc. Christensen also serves on Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC), and has advised the executives of many of the world’s major corporations. They generate tens of billions of dollars in revenues every year from product and service innovations that were inspired by his research. Christensen is an experienced entrepreneur, having started three successful companies. Prior to joining the HBS faculty, Professor Christensen served as chairman and president of CPS Technologies a firm he co-founded with several MIT professors in 1984. CPS is a leading developer of products and manufacturing processes using high-technology metals and ceramics such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and aluminum oxide. Christensen has also founded Innosight, a consulting firm that uses his theories of innovation to help companies create new growth businesses. Professor Christensen became a faculty member at the Harvard Business School in 1992, and was awarded a full professorship with tenure in 1998, becoming the first professor in the school’s modern history to achieve tenure at such an accelerated pace. Professor Christensen is the bestselling author of five books, including his seminal work, The Innovator's Dilemma, which received the Global Business Book Award for the best business book of the year, The Innovator’s Solution, and Seeing What’s Next. Recently, Christensen has focused the lens of disruptive innovation on social issues such as education and health care. Disrupting Class looks at the root causes of why schools struggle and offers solutions, while The Innovator's Prescription examines how to fix our healthcare system. Four of his five books have received awards as the best books in their categories in the years of their publication. Professor Christensen's writings have been featured in a variety of publications, and have won a number of awards, such as the Best Dissertation Award from The Institute of Management Sciences for his doctoral thesis on technology development in the disk drive industry; the Production and Operations Management Society's William Abernathy Award, presented to the author of the best paper in the management of technology; the Newcomen Society’s award for the best paper in business history; and the 1995, 2001, 2008 and 2009 McKinsey Awards for articles published in the Harvard Business Review.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
What do the Honda Supercub, Intel's 8088 processor, and hydraulic excavators have in common? They are all examples of disruptive technologies that helped to redefine the competitive landscape of their respective markets. These products did not come about as the result of successful companies carrying out sound business practices in established markets. In The Innovator's Dilemma, author Clayton M. Christensen shows how these and other products cut into the low end of the marketplace and eventually evolved to displace high-end competitors and their reigning technologies.
At the heart of The Innovator's Dilemma is how a successful company with established products keeps from being pushed aside by newer, cheaper products that will, over time, get better and become a serious threat. Christensen writes that even the best-managed companies, in spite of their attention to customers and continual investment in new technology, are susceptible to failure no matter what the industry, be it hard drives or consumer retailing. Succinct and clearly written, The Innovator's Dilemma is an important book that belongs on every manager's bookshelf. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
The author, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, asks why some well-managed companies that stay on top of new technology and practice quality customer service can still falter. His own research brought a surprising answer to that question. Christensen suggests that by placing too great an emphasis on satisfying customers' current needs, companies fail to adapt or adopt new technology that will meet customers' unstated or future needs, and he argues that such companies will eventually fall behind. Christensen calls this phenomenon "disruptive technology" and demonstrates its effects in industries as diverse as the manufacture of hard-disk drives and mass retailing. He goes on to offer solutions by providing strategies for anticipating changes in markets. This book is another in the publisher's Management of Innovation and Change series. David Rouse --This text refers to the Hardcover edition
Clayton M. Christensen is the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, and is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on innovation and growth. Professor Christensen holds a B.A. with highest honors in economics from Brigham Young University, and an M.Phil. in applied econometrics from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He received an MBA with High Distinction from the Harvard Business School in 1979, graduating as a George F. Baker Scholar. He was awarded his DBA from the Harvard Business School in 1992. Christensen has served as a director on the boards of a number of public and private companies. He is currently a board member at Tata Consulting Services, Franklin Covey, W.R. Hambrecht, and Vanu Inc. Christensen also serves on Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC), and has advised the executives of many of the world’s major corporations. They generate tens of billions of dollars in revenues every year from product and service innovations that were inspired by his research. Christensen is an experienced entrepreneur, having started three successful companies. Prior to joining the HBS faculty, Professor Christensen served as chairman and president of CPS Technologies a firm he co-founded with several MIT professors in 1984. CPS is a leading developer of products and manufacturing processes using high-technology metals and ceramics such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and aluminum oxide. Christensen has also founded Innosight, a consulting firm that uses his theories of innovation to help companies create new growth businesses. Professor Christensen became a faculty member at the Harvard Business School in 1992, and was awarded a full professorship with tenure in 1998, becoming the first professor in the school’s modern history to achieve tenure at such an accelerated pace. Professor Christensen is the bestselling author of five books, including his seminal work, The Innovator's Dilemma, which received the Global Business Book Award for the best business book of the year, The Innovator’s Solution, and Seeing What’s Next. Recently, Christensen has focused the lens of disruptive innovation on social issues such as education and health care. Disrupting Class looks at the root causes of why schools struggle and offers solutions, while The Innovator's Prescription examines how to fix our healthcare system. Four of his five books have received awards as the best books in their categories in the years of their publication. Professor Christensen's writings have been featured in a variety of publications, and have won a number of awards, such as the Best Dissertation Award from The Institute of Management Sciences for his doctoral thesis on technology development in the disk drive industry; the Production and Operations Management Society's William Abernathy Award, presented to the author of the best paper in the management of technology; the Newcomen Society’s award for the best paper in business history; and the 1995, 2001, 2008 and 2009 McKinsey Awards for articles published in the Harvard Business Review.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
What do the Honda Supercub, Intel's 8088 processor, and hydraulic excavators have in common? They are all examples of disruptive technologies that helped to redefine the competitive landscape of their respective markets. These products did not come about as the result of successful companies carrying out sound business practices in established markets. In The Innovator's Dilemma, author Clayton M. Christensen shows how these and other products cut into the low end of the marketplace and eventually evolved to displace high-end competitors and their reigning technologies.
At the heart of The Innovator's Dilemma is how a successful company with established products keeps from being pushed aside by newer, cheaper products that will, over time, get better and become a serious threat. Christensen writes that even the best-managed companies, in spite of their attention to customers and continual investment in new technology, are susceptible to failure no matter what the industry, be it hard drives or consumer retailing. Succinct and clearly written, The Innovator's Dilemma is an important book that belongs on every manager's bookshelf. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
The author, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, asks why some well-managed companies that stay on top of new technology and practice quality customer service can still falter. His own research brought a surprising answer to that question. Christensen suggests that by placing too great an emphasis on satisfying customers' current needs, companies fail to adapt or adopt new technology that will meet customers' unstated or future needs, and he argues that such companies will eventually fall behind. Christensen calls this phenomenon "disruptive technology" and demonstrates its effects in industries as diverse as the manufacture of hard-disk drives and mass retailing. He goes on to offer solutions by providing strategies for anticipating changes in markets. This book is another in the publisher's Management of Innovation and Change series. David Rouse --This text refers to the Hardcover edition
1.11.10
UK: ISLE of WIGHT new policy to prevent teenage pregnancy
Chemists will provide girls as young as 13 with contraception without telling parents or GP
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:28 PM on 1st November 2010
A controversial scheme that lets girls as young as 13 obtain the contraceptive pill without their parents knowledge, has been launched.
Teenagers in the Isle of Wight (popn.140,000) who visit the chemist for the morning-after pill will also be able to pick up a month's supply of the contraceptive desogestrel without seeing a doctor or telling their parents.
After a month the girls would need to see a GP or sexual health nurse to get a further supply.
Ten of the 30 pharmacies on the island will be part of the pilot scheme.
The latest pregnancy figures from the Isle of Wight show that 96 girls under the age of 18 became pregnant in 2008.
The service will be aimed at females aged between 13 and 25 years old.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1325521/Chemists-provide-girls-young-13-long-term-contraception-telling-parents.html#ixzz142PxXEY9
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:28 PM on 1st November 2010
A controversial scheme that lets girls as young as 13 obtain the contraceptive pill without their parents knowledge, has been launched.
Teenagers in the Isle of Wight (popn.140,000) who visit the chemist for the morning-after pill will also be able to pick up a month's supply of the contraceptive desogestrel without seeing a doctor or telling their parents.
After a month the girls would need to see a GP or sexual health nurse to get a further supply.
Ten of the 30 pharmacies on the island will be part of the pilot scheme.
The latest pregnancy figures from the Isle of Wight show that 96 girls under the age of 18 became pregnant in 2008.
The service will be aimed at females aged between 13 and 25 years old.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1325521/Chemists-provide-girls-young-13-long-term-contraception-telling-parents.html#ixzz142PxXEY9
25.10.10
CCHSE NOW CCHL
The Canadian College of Health Service Executives Celebrates Four Decades with
a New Name, the Canadian College of Health Leaders
(Halifax, NS – October 15, 2010) – The Canadian College of Health Service Executives announced its new name, the Canadian College of Health Leaders during its October 2010 Board of Directors meeting in Halifax. The new name is reflective of who the College is today and its future direction. The College’s commitment to health leaders throughout their career and to Canada’s health system is reflected in the accompanying tagline – Learning, Leading, Inspiring.
For four decades, the Canadian College of Health Leaders has brought together established and emerging health leaders from across Canada to learn, network, and exchange best practices—all with the aim of strengthening Canada’s health system. The College is confident as it enters its next four decades that it is on track to build on, strengthen and renew its services, the new name speaks to the value and benefits of the organization.
“In our consultation with College members as well as potential members it became evident that many did not see themselves reflected in the old name, specifically in the term ‘health service executives’, either because their work was not properly in the health services domain or because they were not in what they perceived as an executive role. The new College name allows us to address this while preparing the College to better recognize the importance of developing leaders early in their career” said College President Ray Racette, MHA, CHE.
“Our new name clearly emphasizes our focus on leadership and learning and our alignment with the recently established LEADS in a Caring Environment leadership capabilities framework. It reflects our commitment to support leadership development across the continuum of a career” commented Board Chair John King, MHA, CHE.
a New Name, the Canadian College of Health Leaders
(Halifax, NS – October 15, 2010) – The Canadian College of Health Service Executives announced its new name, the Canadian College of Health Leaders during its October 2010 Board of Directors meeting in Halifax. The new name is reflective of who the College is today and its future direction. The College’s commitment to health leaders throughout their career and to Canada’s health system is reflected in the accompanying tagline – Learning, Leading, Inspiring.
For four decades, the Canadian College of Health Leaders has brought together established and emerging health leaders from across Canada to learn, network, and exchange best practices—all with the aim of strengthening Canada’s health system. The College is confident as it enters its next four decades that it is on track to build on, strengthen and renew its services, the new name speaks to the value and benefits of the organization.
“In our consultation with College members as well as potential members it became evident that many did not see themselves reflected in the old name, specifically in the term ‘health service executives’, either because their work was not properly in the health services domain or because they were not in what they perceived as an executive role. The new College name allows us to address this while preparing the College to better recognize the importance of developing leaders early in their career” said College President Ray Racette, MHA, CHE.
“Our new name clearly emphasizes our focus on leadership and learning and our alignment with the recently established LEADS in a Caring Environment leadership capabilities framework. It reflects our commitment to support leadership development across the continuum of a career” commented Board Chair John King, MHA, CHE.
BAD MEDICINE: A Guide to the Real Costs and Consquences of the New Health Care Laws. by Michael D.TANNER
www.cato.org
Can be read online. Single copy $10.
Cato Institute Senior Fellow Michael D. TANNER
Cato Institute,
1000 Massachusetts Ave,N.W.
Washington,D.C. 20001
Can be read online. Single copy $10.
Cato Institute Senior Fellow Michael D. TANNER
Cato Institute,
1000 Massachusetts Ave,N.W.
Washington,D.C. 20001
16.10.10
Safest places to practice medicine in Canada
BEST CITIES PERCENTAGE BELOW THE NATIONAL CRIME SCORE
Caledon, Ont. -70%
Wellington County, Ont. 58
Halton Region, Ont. 58
Lévis, Que. 51
Nottawasaga, Ont. 50
York Region, Ont. 49
Richelieu Saint-Laurent, Que. 48
South Simcoe, Ont. 44
Vaudreuil-Soulange MRC, Que. 44
Blainville, Que. 42
Sources: 2009 and 1999 Crime Severity Index data from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Maclean’s
Caledon, Ont. -70%
Wellington County, Ont. 58
Halton Region, Ont. 58
Lévis, Que. 51
Nottawasaga, Ont. 50
York Region, Ont. 49
Richelieu Saint-Laurent, Que. 48
South Simcoe, Ont. 44
Vaudreuil-Soulange MRC, Que. 44
Blainville, Que. 42
Sources: 2009 and 1999 Crime Severity Index data from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Maclean’s
14.10.10
MEDICAL FAME DEPENDS ON PUBLICATION in a WELL-KNOWN LANGUAGE.
LUND- HUNTINGTON'S CHOREA
Progressive and inheritable chorea had been described before 1872, and the most complete clinical description, even including the component of dementia, had been published in Norway by the district physician in Setesdal, Johan Christian LUND as early as in 1859. This report received no international attention and was certainly unknown to Huntington. It was not translated into English until 1959.
A rare disease of the central nervous system characterized by progressive dementia with grimacing, gesticulation, ataxic movements, finger twitching, dysarthria, speech disorders and other bizarre involuntary movements.
On February 15, 1872 George Huntington gave his classic presentation On Chorea at the Meigs and Mason Academy of Medicine, Middleport, Ohio. He was only twenty-two at the time. His lecture was received with acclaim, so he sent his manuscript to the Medical and Surgical Reporter of Philadelphia, where it appeared on 13 April 1872.
An abstract was published in the German literature by Adolf Kussmaul (1822-1902) and Carl Wilhelm Hermann Nothnagel (1841-1905) in 1872 and thereafter the eponym was increasingly used by European authors. Huntington recognised the hereditary nature of the condition, stating in his original paper "When either or both the parents have shown manifestations of the disease, one or more of the offspring invariably suffer from the condition. It never skips a generation to again manifest itself in another. Once having yielded its claims, it never regains them."
Progressive and inheritable chorea had been described before 1872, and the most complete clinical description, even including the component of dementia, had been published in Norway by the district physician in Setesdal, Johan Christian LUND as early as in 1859. This report received no international attention and was certainly unknown to Huntington. It was not translated into English until 1959.
George Huntington born April 9, 1850, East Hampton, Long Island, New York; died March 3, 1916, Cairo, New York.
Huntington's choreaA rare disease of the central nervous system characterized by progressive dementia with grimacing, gesticulation, ataxic movements, finger twitching, dysarthria, speech disorders and other bizarre involuntary movements.
On February 15, 1872 George Huntington gave his classic presentation On Chorea at the Meigs and Mason Academy of Medicine, Middleport, Ohio. He was only twenty-two at the time. His lecture was received with acclaim, so he sent his manuscript to the Medical and Surgical Reporter of Philadelphia, where it appeared on 13 April 1872.
An abstract was published in the German literature by Adolf Kussmaul (1822-1902) and Carl Wilhelm Hermann Nothnagel (1841-1905) in 1872 and thereafter the eponym was increasingly used by European authors. Huntington recognised the hereditary nature of the condition, stating in his original paper "When either or both the parents have shown manifestations of the disease, one or more of the offspring invariably suffer from the condition. It never skips a generation to again manifest itself in another. Once having yielded its claims, it never regains them."
13.10.10
EMIGRATION of TALENT.
After two years in Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health Dean Jack MANDEL PhD MPH has moved to Menlo Park, California to become Chief Scientist at EXPONENT.
Dr. Jack S. Mandel has rejoined Exponent as Chief Science Officer. Most recently he was Professor and Director of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. From 2002-2008, Dr. Mandel was at Emory University in Atlanta where he served as Rollins Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, in the Rollins School of Public Health and Deputy Director for Cancer Control and Population Sciences in the Winship Cancer Institute. While at Emory, he was selected as a Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) Distinguished Cancer Scholar. From 1999-2002, Dr. Mandel was a Group Vice President at Exponent.
Dr. Mandel was a member of the University of Minnesota faculty from 1975-1999. From 1995 to 1999, he was the Head of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health. In 1996, he received the distinguished honor of being named to the endowed Mayo Chair in Public Health. In 1997, he was the recipient of the Leonard M. Schuman Award for Excellence in Teaching. During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mandel served on a number of international, national, state, and local committees. He has also served as a consultant to industry, professional associations, and governmental agencies.
Dr. Mandel has conducted many case-control, cohort (both prospective and retrospective), cross-sectional, experimental, and methodological studies. He has published more than 200 articles related to epidemiology, including studies of prostate, colorectal, kidney, pancreatic, breast, lung, stomach, hematopoietic and skin cancers. These studies have evaluated a variety of potential etiologic factors including occupational exposures, radiation, pesticides and other chemicals, hormones, medications, diet, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as other lifestyle factors.
Dr. Jack Mandel Joins Exponent as Chief Science Officer
News
September 1, 2010
Dr. Jack S. Mandel has rejoined Exponent as Chief Science Officer. Most recently he was Professor and Director of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. From 2002-2008, Dr. Mandel was at Emory University in Atlanta where he served as Rollins Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, in the Rollins School of Public Health and Deputy Director for Cancer Control and Population Sciences in the Winship Cancer Institute. While at Emory, he was selected as a Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) Distinguished Cancer Scholar. From 1999-2002, Dr. Mandel was a Group Vice President at Exponent.
Dr. Mandel was a member of the University of Minnesota faculty from 1975-1999. From 1995 to 1999, he was the Head of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health. In 1996, he received the distinguished honor of being named to the endowed Mayo Chair in Public Health. In 1997, he was the recipient of the Leonard M. Schuman Award for Excellence in Teaching. During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mandel served on a number of international, national, state, and local committees. He has also served as a consultant to industry, professional associations, and governmental agencies.
Dr. Mandel has conducted many case-control, cohort (both prospective and retrospective), cross-sectional, experimental, and methodological studies. He has published more than 200 articles related to epidemiology, including studies of prostate, colorectal, kidney, pancreatic, breast, lung, stomach, hematopoietic and skin cancers. These studies have evaluated a variety of potential etiologic factors including occupational exposures, radiation, pesticides and other chemicals, hormones, medications, diet, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as other lifestyle factors.
2.10.10
AMERICAN SOCIETY of PLASTIC SURGEONS Conference Toronto Oct 1-5
Opening Ceremonies - Keynote Speaker: Steve Forbes
Time: 4:30PM - 6:00PM
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Fee: Complimentary with Registration
Supported by:
ASPS/PSEF/ASMS are proud to announce Steve Forbes as the Keynote Speaker of Plastic surgery 2010. Based on his experience as a widely respected economic prognosticator, Mr. Forbes will address the current economic situation and provide insights and strategic advice for business growth and success during these difficult times. Be sure not to miss this motivating introduction to Plastic Surgery 2010!
Facts about Forbes:
- Forbes is the nation’s leading business magazine, with a circulation of 900,000+
- Together with Forbes Global, reaches a worldwide audience of nearly 5 million readers
- Forbes.com attracts over 7 million unique visitors each month and has become the leading destination site for business decision-makers and investors
Steve Forbes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people of the same name, see Stephen Forbes (disambiguation).
| Steve Forbes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | July 18, 1947 Morristown, New Jersey |
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Political party | Republican |
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Personal life and education
Forbes was born in Morristown, New Jersey, the son of Roberta Remsen (née Laidlaw) and Malcolm Forbes.[2] He is of English, Scottish, French, and Dutch ancestry.[3] He is married to Sabina Beekman, and they have five daughters. Daughter Moira was named Publisher of ForbesLife Executive Women in 2007. Just as his children would do, Forbes attended Far Hills Country Day School. He graduated cum laude in 1966 from Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts, and was in the Princeton class of 1970.[4] While at Princeton, Forbes founded his first magazine, Business Today, with two other students. Business Today is currently the largest student-run magazine in the world.[5]In 1996, years after the death of his father, he changed the name credited to him on the Forbes magazine masthead from Malcolm S. Forbes Jr. to the name he had been known as throughout childhood, Steve Forbes.[citation needed] Forbes served as an occasional guest host on the show History's Business on the television channel History.[citation needed]
He was awarded an honorary doctorate in economics from Stevenson University on April 30, 2009.[citation needed]
Forbes is a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, initiated August 6, 2009, as the 250,000th member of Tau Kappa Epsilon.[6]
1.10.10
Canadian Medical Protection Association (CMPA)
CMPA does not pay for APPEALS unlike the UK Medical Defence Union & Medical Protection Society.
CMPA dies NOT give 24-hr advice as does MDU & MPS
CMPA publishes little on cases.unlike MDU & MPS
CMPA offers few courses on reducing risk.unlike MDU & MPS
CMPA does not retain lawyers with Ontario Health Law certificate.
Membership in CMPA is not compulsory. for physicians.
The journal of MPS. Published quarterly, each issue is full of news, features and case reports.
Covers the medicolegal subjects that are particularly important during the first years of general practice.
A publication created to answer the medicolegal queries that commonly arise through general practice.
CMPA dies NOT give 24-hr advice as does MDU & MPS
CMPA publishes little on cases.unlike MDU & MPS
CMPA offers few courses on reducing risk.unlike MDU & MPS
CMPA does not retain lawyers with Ontario Health Law certificate.
Membership in CMPA is not compulsory. for physicians.
Casebook
The journal of MPS. Published quarterly, each issue is full of news, features and case reports.
GP Registrar
Covers the medicolegal subjects that are particularly important during the first years of general practice.
Your Practice
A publication created to answer the medicolegal queries that commonly arise through general practice.
ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION hires ex-ONTARIO DEPUTY MINISTER of HEALTH Mr.Ron SAPSFORD
OMA hired Mr.R.SAPSFORD to help with STRATEGY.
27.9.10
Ontario Deputy Minister of Health R.SAPSFORD BSc(Tor.) MHSc.(Ottawa)
Key figure in eHealth debacle resigns
Ron Sapsford stepped down as deputy health minister Nov. 13, 2009.
DARREN CALABRESE/THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO 
Sapsford is the latest to step down or be forced out in the wake of revelations about the province's largely failed $1 billion push to create electronic health records for Ontarians.
He made headlines last month after the Star revealed his nearly $500,000 a year salary was funnelled through Hamilton Health Sciences to skirt government pay guidelines for senior bureaucrats.
After the story broke, Sapsford became known almost as well for his salary as for his role in the eHealth affair. The salary loophole was closed two weeks after it was revealed in the Star.
The eHealth scandal erupted in May when it was revealed eHealth Ontario handed out nearly $5 million in untendered contracts to high-priced consultants who billed nearly $3,000 a day yet dinged taxpayers for $1.65 cups of tea.
Last month, Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter reported the province had spent $1 billion of taxpayers' money, with little oversight, in the 10-year effort to bring health records online.
The scandal has led to the departure of a number of key figures in Premier Dalton McGuinty's second-term government. David Caplan quit as health minister in October. EHealth Ontario CEO Sarah Kramer left in June, as did Dr. Alan Hudson, the eHealth board chair who was McGuinty's go-to man in health care.
On Thursday, eHealth Ontario let go two vice-presidents, Robin Tonna and Deanna Allen, in a restructuring bid to save about $250,000, said interim CEO Rob Devitt.
Yet it was Sapsford who as deputy minister was ultimately responsible, after the health minister, for the $42 billion health ministry and the electronic health record boondoggle, critics charge.
As deputy health minister for the past five years, Sapsford oversaw eHealth Ontario's predecessor, Smart Systems for Health Agency – which was launched in 2002 and lambasted by critics in 2007 for spending $647 million with little to show for it. The agency was dissolved last year.
Sapsford was behind the electronic health programs branch in the health ministry and the creation of the eHealth Ontario agency.
In his resignation memo to staff, obtained by the Star, Sapsford said health is a "wonderful, complicated, hair-raising, and rewarding ministry," one he will miss greatly.
The memo did not give a reason for his resignation, but critics were quick to link his departure to the eHealth affair.
"How much was the deputy simply doing the bidding of the health minister or premier's office?" asked Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak. "That may be buried with this sudden resignation. This is why we need a full public inquiry in the eHealth boondoggle."
Sapsford was "the last man standing," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. "The very first thing that came to my mind when I heard this was it looks like we'll never get to the bottom of the eHealth scandal."
Sapsford declined interview requests by the Star in recent weeks.
He recently told a legislative committee looking into the eHealth affair that he was not aware untendered contracts were given out until he read about it in the press. He also disputed that $1 billion was wasted. He argued there was value obtained for the money spent, but he did acknowledge "some mistakes were made in the management of procurements" on a couple of projects.
Sapsford, a former chief operating officer at Hamilton Health Sciences, was appointed deputy health minister in March 2005. A grandfather who holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Toronto and a masters in health administration from the University of Ottawa, he also is a director on the boards of Canada Health Infoway and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Sapsford originally worked as deputy health minister for George Smitherman, who earned the nickname "Furious George" for his manner and the pace of change he brought to the usually slow-moving health ministry.
"George focused on the politics and Ron ran the department," said a former senior health staffer. "He was very engaged in the day-to-day stuff."
Smitherman credits Sapsford for helping him push through 10 pieces of legislation, including creation of 14 local health integration networks, bills to regulate traditional Chinese medicine and the omnibus health systems improvements act.
"Nothing came to me, before going to George, before Ron had signed off on it," said the source, who added Sapsford was "very hands-on" with the electronic health record initiative.
Being deputy minister of health has got to be one of the hardest jobs in the country, Smitherman said.
"It is certainly a powerful job, but in the grand scheme of things it is probably one of the five or 10 most impossible jobs, probably in the country," Smitherman said.
Health Minister Deb Matthews, who succeeded Caplan last month, said in a statement Sapsford "helped make measurable progress in the speed and quality of health care available" to Ontarians.
R.SAPSFORD BSc (Tor.) MHSc.(Ottawa) hired by Ontario Medical Association
Ron Sapsford (aged approx. 60)
Health Care Executive
- Past
-
- Deputy Minister at Ontario Ministry of Health & Long Term Care
- Executive Vice - President Chief Operating Officer at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
- Assistant Deputy Minister at Ontario Ministry of Health
- Education
-
- University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa
- University of Toronto - New College
- Connections
-
68 connections
- Industry
- Hospital & Health Care
Ron Sapsford’s Experience
-
Deputy Minister
Ontario Ministry of Health & Long Term Care
(Government Administration industry)March 2005 — January 2010 (4 years 11 months) -
Executive Vice - President Chief Operating Officer
Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation
(Hospital & Health Care industry)March 1999 — March 2005 (6 years 1 month) -
Assistant Deputy Minister
Ontario Ministry of Health
(Government Administration industry)April 1997 — March 1999 (2 years ) -
Chief Operating Officer
Ontario Hospital Association
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)September 1995 — April 1997 (1 year 8 months) -
Director, Community Hospitals Branch
Ontario Ministry of Health
(Government Administration industry)October 1988 — February 1992 (3 years 5 months) -
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister
Ontario Ministry of Health
(Hospital & Health Care industry)February 1991 — June 1991 (5 months) -
Director
Nursing Homes Branch
(Hospital & Health Care industry)June 1986 — October 1988 (2 years 5 months) -
Area Planning Coordinator
Ontario Ministry of Health
(Government Administration industry)October 1983 — June 1986 (2 years 9 months) -
Executive Director
Grey*Bruce District Health Council
(Hospital & Health Care industry)August 1980 — September 1983 (3 years 2 months) -
Assistant Executive Director
Owen Sound General & Marine Hospital
(Hospital & Health Care industry)July 1977 — July 1980 (3 years 1 month) -
Assistant Administrator
Smiths Falls Community Hospital
(Hospital & Health Care industry)April 1976 — July 1977 (1 year 4 months)
Ron Sapsford’s Education
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University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa
MHA , 1974 — 1976
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University of Toronto - New College
BSc , Biochem & Physiol , 1968 — 1972
26.9.10
ONTARIO'S PRIVATELY OWNED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
HOMEWOOD psychiatric hospital, GUELPH has PRIVATE ROOMS @ $300 day,
20.9.10
ONTARIO HOSPITAL CEO EARNINGS.
Top 100 Salaries paid to Public Sector Employees
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