Executive Council

Murray T. Martin
President and CEO

Murray T. Martin is the President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences.  Since joining HHS in 2001, Murray has helped build the hospital's reputation as an established and well-respected family of hospitals.

Prior to joining HHS, Murray served for close to 10 years as the President and CEO of Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre.  He has also held a number of senior management positions including Executive Vice-President & COO for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto; Administrator, Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan and Assistant Administrator, Swift Current Union Hospital, Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

He currently chairs the Ontario Joint Policy & Planning Committee Hospital Funding Formula Committee and the Ontario Hospital Association Reference Group on Access to Service and Wait Time Strategy. Murray is a graduate of the health administration program at the University of Toronto and holds a bachelor of administration degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Brenda Flaherty
Executive Vice President Clinical Operations

Brenda Flaherty is the Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations at Hamilton Health Sciences, and is responsible for the clinical programs of Hamilton General Hospital, Henderson General Hospital, McMaster University Medical Center and Chedoke Hospital.

She is an RN, from Mohawk College and received her BA in Sociology from McMaster University. Brenda has a Masters of Public Administration from Queen's University. She has been a part-time instructor in the MBA Program at McMaster University, is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at McMaster University, and an Associate of Mohawk College.

Brenda is Chair of the Board of YMCA of Hamilton Burlington and is a graduate of the Bay Area Leadership Program. She has served as Chair of the Board of the North Hamilton Community Health Centre, and is a past Board Member of Hospital Family Houses of Ontario and the Pastoral Counselling Centre.  She also serves on many provincial and national committees on health care.

Murray Glendining
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs

As Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Murray Glendining is responsible for finance, engineering and capital development, human resources, information and communication technology, internal audit, and clinical appropriateness and efficiency. Murray has taken on the additional role of Regional CIO (eHealth Lead) for the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN.

Murray is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in the public and private sectors. His health care background includes CFO positions with a major academic health sciences center and regional health authority in Western Canada. Murray has also consulted extensively across North America with international consulting corporations. This consulting experience has included working with a number of government agencies including the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Dr. Salim Yusuf
Vice President Research & Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Salim Yusuf is the Vice-President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer at Hamilton Health Sciences, Director of the Population Health Research Institute, and a Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, holds a Heart and Stroke Foundations of Ontario research Chair, and has been a Senior Scientist of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Salim is a graduate of St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India and a Rhodes Scholar. He is a cardiologist, epidemiologist and world-renowned researcher in cardiovascular diseases and prevention. Salim's involvement in developing the concept of large, simple trials and meta-analysis ultimately changed the way that research is conducted today. Landmark studies include the HOPE, OASIS, INTERHEART, and CURE trials as well as populations based studies in diverse ethnic groups in Canada, including one of the world's largest studies involving 52 countries. He currently works with investigators from 1500 centers in 78 countries.

Dr. Richard McLean
Vice President Medical Affairs and Quality

Dr. Richard McLean is a graduate of the University of Toronto Medical School. His post graduate training was in anesthesia, followed by a Critical Care Fellowship at Stanford University. He came to HHS after 12 years at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in a number of Critical Care leadership positions. As Chief of Anesthesia at Hamilton Health Sciences he oversaw the successful integration of the Department of Anesthesia.

Richard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesia, McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences. He has a keen interest in patient safety and quality improvement.

Nancy Fram,
Vice President Professional Affairs & Chief Nursing Executive

Since joining McMaster University Medical Centre as a staff nurse in 1977, Nancy Fram has had a diverse career at Hamilton Health Sciences in both adult and pediatric health care. She has served as an educator, a manager, a director, and is now Vice President Professional Affairs & Chief Nursing Executive.

Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from McMaster University and a Master of Education (Administration) from Brock University.  She holds a clinical faculty appointment with the Faculty of Nursing, McMaster University.

Nancy is a recipient Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, 1999.

Nancy has a specific interest in Health Human Resources planning, establishing and maintaining quality work environments and patient and family centered care.

Kathy Watts,
Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Kathy Watts is the Vice President of Finance and CFO for Hamilton Health Sciences. Her portfolio, Finance and Integrated Health Information Services includes Financial Services, Decision Support Services, Health Records, Admitting and Transcription Services at HHS. Kathy has been instrumental in the formation and evolution of Decision Support at HHS, as well as embarking on an Integrated Decision Support model for LHIN 4.

Kathy has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University and her Executive MBA from Queens University. She is the Treasurer on the Board of Directors at the North Hamilton Community Health Centre. She is also very involved in several provincial and LHIN wide committees.

Louise Taylor Green
Vice President Human Resources & Organizational Development

Louise Taylor Green has worked on both sides of business in operational management and human resources throughout Canada, the UK, the USA and the Caribbean. This blend provides in-depth experience and appreciation for the impact that strategic HR partnerships can have on enriching the lives of employees and increasing enterprise value. 

Louise studied adult instructional techniques with City & Guilds in London, England and then went on to study Human Resource Management at McMaster University. She is certified by the Critical Incident Stress Foundation and has her CHRP designation. Louise has completed multiple Harvard Business School leadership programs and she is currently an executive MBA student.

Louise is an active director with the Human Resources Professionals Association, Industry Education Council of Hamilton and is also a member of the Chief Human Resources Officer Committee of the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario.

Dr. Peter Fitzgerald
President McMaster Children's Hospital

Dr. Peter Fitzgerald is the President of McMaster Children's Hospital (MCH). He began this new leadership position in January of 2009. His other Hamilton Health Sciences leadership roles include the Executive Lead of the Women's Health and Newborn Care Program and the Executive Lead of McMaster University Medical Centre site.

Peter is a distinguished surgeon with a national and international reputation for his innovative work and leadership in minimal access (keyhole) surgery and reconstructive chest wall surgery. He has been an active pediatric general surgeon at MCH for the last 16 years and will continue his important clinical work in conjunction with his new leadership roles.

Peter is also a professor of pediatric surgery at McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

Dr. Bill Evans
President of the Juravinski Cancer Centre & Regional Vice President of Cancer Care Ontario

Dr. Bill Evans brings significant experience and wide-ranging knowledge in all aspects of cancer control. Most recently, Bill was the Chief Medical Officer and Provincial Vice President of Cancer Care Ontario where he has held appointments since 2000. Prior to CCO, Bill was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre from 1988 to 2000.

Bill earned his medical degree and subspecialty training from University of Toronto, specializing in internal medicine and medical oncology. His current fields of interest include lung cancer, health care economics and clinical trials in cancer therapy.

Donna Cripps,
President, St. Peter's Hospital

Donna Cripps is well recognized and widely respected for her contributions to care and service for seniors and those with chronic illness. At Hamilton Health Sciences, Donna is the President of St. Peter's Hospital and the executive lead for seniors' care and rehabilitation.

With a range of skill and experience from clinical practice to executive leadership, Donna has a thorough understanding of health care delivery from an operational and strategic perspective.

She is currently the chair of the Complex Continuing Care and Rehabilitation Provincial Leadership Council, OHA. Her previous community involvement has included presiding as Chair of the Niagara District Health Council and President of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association.

Donna holds a BSc(PT) degree from the University of Toronto and a MBA degree from Queen's University.

Dr. Barry Lumb
Chief of Medicine

Dr. Barry Lumb has been a Hamilton Health Sciences staff member since 1985 and is a very highly regarded clinician and educator. He has been involved in a variety of leadership positions at Hamilton Health Sciences and was recently promoted to Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University.

Dr. Wes Stephen,
Chief, Department of Surgery

Dr. Wes Stephen joined Hamilton Health Sciences in 2002 after relocating from New Brunswick. In addition to being a highly regarded colorectal surgeon and educator, he is also a Royal College Board of General Surgery Examiner and is Regional Head of Surgical Oncology for the Local Health Integration Network.

Wes is currently at the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at McMaster University.

Jeff Vallentin
Vice President Communications and Stakeholder Relations

As the Vice President of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Jeff Vallentin is responsible for Public Relations, Patient Relations, Risk Management, and External Relations for Hamilton Health Sciences. Jeff plays a key role in establishing the direction for the organization's strategic communications, issues and reputation management, and fostering a culture that values and practices openness and disclosure. Community consultation and stakeholder relations are also among Jeff's top priorities as Hamilton Health Sciences continues to evolve and realign services to meet the needs of patients in Hamilton and the broader region.

Jeff has a Master of Business Administration degree and is also an accredited public relations practitioner who continues to be actively involved in both public relations and health care associations, including the Health Care Public Relations Association of Canada and the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Teresa Smith,
Vice President of Patient Services

Teresa Smith is Vice President of Patient Services at Hamilton Health Sciences. She has accountability for patient care and resource management for the following programs:  Neuroscience and Trauma Program, Cardiac and Vascular Program, Acute Medicine and Pre-Hospital Services at the General site, Perioperative Services across all acute sites and Specialty Adult Services at the McMaster site. As well, she is the executive site lead for the Hamilton General site.

Teresa holds a Masters in Business Administration from McMaster University, a Respiratory Therapy Diploma and Certification from Fanshawe College and Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Western Ontario.

Kelly Campbell, 
Assistant Vice President, Clinical Planning

As the Assistant Vice President of Clinical Planning for Hamilton Health Sciences, Kelly Campbell has responsibility for both the clinical planning and capital development associated with the implementation of Access to the Best Care. Prior to taking on the AVP role, Kelly served as the Director of Perioperative Services for Hamilton Health Sciences. 

Kelly plays an active role at the provincial level, serving on the Ministry of Health Wait Time Strategy - Surgical Process Analysis and Improvement Expert Panel. She formally chaired the Surgical Efficiency Targets Program steering committee and currently chairs the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN Wait Time Strategy Advisory committee. Kelly also serves as a lead coach on the provincial perioperative coaching teams through the Ministry of Health. 

Prior to her return to Canada in 2002, Kelly worked in the U.S. for 15 years for the Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, Texas and the Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mark Farrow,
Chief Information Officer, and Assistant Vice President, Information & Communication Technologies

Mark Farrow has held a progressive twenty-year career in Information Technology and management. As CIO and assistant vice president, information & communication technologies for Hamilton Health Sciences, Mark oversees a $14 million operating budget with a staff of more than 70. He has led the process of integrating three acute and one long-term care facility into a common integrated system and infrastructure. Mr. Farrow has also been involved with numerous projects at a provincial level including work on the provincial electronic health records.

Mark formally was the director, information systems at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario where he implemented the systems from scratch along with one of the first fully electronic patient records utilizing integrated hospital information systems and document imaging technologies.

Pearl F. Veenema
President & CEO Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation

Pearl Veenema provides leadership and strategic planning to the Foundation in order to achieve its annual fundraising objectives.

Pearl is a Fellow of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, and most recently Vice President, Advancement for the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation. With more than 15 years experience in hospital philanthropy, Ms. Veenema also has direct experience in public relations, nursing and health care management.