Sarah Downey: A Time of Excitement and Challenge in Mental Health
Release Date: 03/08/2023
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Health is driven by more than what happens in a clinic or the operating room, it is driven by long-standing system decisions. One of the ways Dr. Andrew Boozary and the UHN are impacting health equity is through the inception of Dunn House, Canada’s first hospital-led supportive housing initiative. This unique model couples health and social care by improving health outcomes for unhoused Torontonians, embedding concreate solutions to UHN’s most vulnerable patients. “This brings a wholistic approach to healthcare, that it’s not just about access to physicians and nurses, that there’s...
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Karen Oldfield: Raise and Develop Those Around You
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Catherine Gaulton: The Magic of the Reciprocal Model
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Dr. Steven Harrison: Redefining Leadership in Seniors’ Care
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For this episode of Healthcare Change Makers, we sat down and had a captivating conversation with Dr. Steven Harrison, the CEO of Tri-County Mennonite Homes. Steven has a wealth of experience as a seasoned leader in long-term care. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear all about his insights from working internationally and how this experience has shaped his views about Canada embracing global perspectives and solutions for challenges at home. We also learned more about Steven’s career journey, beginning as a PSW and his decision to pursue a career in leadership focusing on system design and...
info_outlineToday’s guest has a special place in the HIROC archives. Sarah Downey was our first guest on Healthcare Change Makers when we turned on the mike in 2018. The years that followed that fun interview have been busy for Sarah. For 7 and a half years she was the CEO of Michael Garron Hospital where she shepherded the hospital through a major redevelopment project that included the newly opened Thomson Centre.
Six months ago, Sarah made the decision to move into the President and CEO position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, better known as CAMH. Leaving Michael Garron and the East York community was tough, but the pull to the mission of CAMH was stronger. Sarah believes mental health is the most important health issue of our lifetime.
It’s a new place and a new culture to learn about, but Sarah always comes back to the importance of being human and being vulnerable in a leadership role. Where talking to people in the coffee line-up is one of the most important things you can do as a CEO.
Quotables
“You forget until you have to make those transitions how emotional they are.” – SD
”It’s thrilling to see these latest two buildings. The spaces are bright and airy. They’re respectful, and focused on recovery, healing and dignified care.” – SD
“It’s not just a one in five who will get mental illness in their lifetime. It’s in everybody’s family. It’s in all your social circles, in all your employees. It’s everywhere.” – SD
“I had forgotten until I came back how many people call to get advice on how to navigate the system.” – SD
“Who’s more important for us to invest in than our young people? They are our future and we need them to be healthier and more resilient.”
“You need to regularly connect with people, use a bit of humour. They want to know that their leader is real.” – SD
“It’s become even more important the last few years to find a break and a space, but what an opportunity to learn.” - SD
“I hold my dad’s lessons in my heart every day and try to act in a way that would always do him proud.” – SD
“We should tell people every day in the moment how much they mean to us and how they’re helping us change our lives.” – PDS
Mentioned in this episode:
CAMH: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The history of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre - UHN
Dr. J. Downey, Past President, University of Waterloo (1993-1999)