Suzanne Madore is the new president and CEO of Renfrew Victoria Hospital. (Sherry Haaima photo)
The new president and CEO of Renfrew Victoria Hospital says she’s committed to rebuilding trust in the community and supporting staff in the wake of the recent final provincial report that revealed a pattern of financial mismanagement and governance failures.
Suzanne Madore, who assumed her role April 28, told myFM that staff were supported in the days following the release of the report, hosting an open forum, firstly for leaders and then for all staff.
Madore explained the meeting with leaders was to talk about their feelings over the past year, give them an opportunity to ask questions about the future and where the organization is at now, and to help mentor them to provide support to their staff.
The report did indicate that no current active members of the RVH executive team are part of these irregularities, nor were any current board members involved in initiating these irregularities. Madore confirmed the report’s assertion that many of its recommendations have already been implemented.
The focus on governance and the fiduciary role of the board of directors is something that’s being taken very seriously, she said. Education for all board members to help foster understanding of the legislation has been key and will be ongoing, she said.
Her own appointment and building a senior leadership team to help foster staff, physicians, and administration all working together has been a focus.
For Madore, a primary focus going forward is building trust and two-way respect, internally, as well as outside the organization.
Her message to the community includes the reiteration that foundation dollars were not used through Renfrew Health and that the hospital continues to be an excellent source of health care in the community.
She said she understands as CEO that they have to show up consistently and really demonstrate who they are as an organization and what they have to offer.
Madore said she will take opportunities that are offered to go and talk about the organization and they services they provide.
She said she wants to recognize the staff, the physicians, and the current leaders in the organization. They’ve been through a lot and we can’t underestimate how this has impacted them, she said.
The situation has been challenging – some staff members have articulated trust has been broken and others have said they can see a way forward, said Madore.
She’s hopeful for the future and proud of the continued good work being done at RVH.
Going forward, Madore said she can’t change that trust has been broken but she sees a clear path forward, is committed to open communication and looks forward to getting out in the community to talk about the organization and the services.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)