Dr. Chris Simpson has been appointed as Ontario Health's Executive Vice-President, Medical, effective February 1, 2021.

In this role, Dr. Simpson will provide medical leadership and clinical expertise to Ontario Health’s Clinical Institutes and Quality Programs Portfolio, and more broadly across Ontario Health. He will help define, develop and evaluate programs and models of care consistent with Ontario Health’s mandate and priorities. Ontario Health is an agency created by the Government of Ontario in 2019 to connect and coordinate the province’s health care system and help ensure that Ontarians receive the best possible care. Dr. Simpson will have an important role advising the CEO on current and emerging health system and medical matters and will co-lead Ontario Health’s Clinical Advisory Committee.

In conjunction with this appointment, Dr. Simpson will step down from his roles as Vice-Dean, (Clinical), School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO). Dr. Simpson will remain a part of the Queen’s and Kingston communities as a faculty member in the Department of Medicine, and cardiologist at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC).

“I am thrilled to move into this role with Ontario Health as the organization is taking shape; it’s an incredible opportunity," says Dr. Simpson. "But it was a difficult decision to leave my post with the Faculty of Health Sciences, working alongside Dean Philpott. She is an outstanding leader and I know that the faculty will achieve great things under her leadership.” 

Dr. Stephen Vanner, who currently serves as Director of Clinical Research KHSC and FHS, will step into the roles of Interim Vice-Dean and Interim Medical Director, SEAMO as of February 1, 2021. A formal search process for an appointment to these roles will be undertaken in the spring.

“While Chris will leave big shoes to fill at FHS, this is a well-deserved honour that positions him as a key player in the healthcare system. I am extremely proud to see him take on this provincial leadership role,” says Dr. Jane Philpott, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences. “I wish him all the best in this new position with Ontario Health.”

Learn more about Ontario Health on the agency's website.