FERGUS – Following 10 years at Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) and North Wellington Health Care (NWHC), Stephen Street announced he is retiring from both corporations at the end of the year.
Street will remain in the position of president and CEO until a successful candidate is selected, with the goal of transitioning the role at the start of the board year this Fall.
Street began his hospital career 34 years ago, working at the Toronto General Hospital, Oshawa General Hospital, and then Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, before moving with his family to Fergus in 2011.
Over the past decade, Street led the building of a new Minto Rural Health Centre (opened May 2016), a new hospital for Centre Wellington (opened August 2020) and an expanded Emergency Department and two-storey Ambulatory Care Wing for Louise Marshall Hospital (due to open this summer).
“We respect and support Steve in his decision as he looks forward to the opportunity to spend more time with family, and to explore the next chapter of his life,” states NWHC board chair Dale Small.
“Steve has made many contributions during his time leading our hospitals, including advancing our governance model and the service integration of our three hospital sites.”
Jackie Ranahan, board chair at GMCH, said, “Steve’s legacy will be his leadership, from planning, design, construction, and then to opening our new $171 million Groves Hospital.
“We appreciate everything Steve has done in serving our communities, while leading our organizations through this pandemic.”
During the next few months Street’s focus will remain on the hospitals’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the completion and opening of the new Emergency and Ambulatory Care wings at Louise Marshall Hospital.
“Our two boards, which make up the Wellington Health Care Alliance, are committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition in support of continuing the delivery of high-quality care by our great team of staff and physicians” added Small.
The recruitment process for Street’s replacement is estimated to be complete by end of summer.
