(Alliston, Ontario – October 24, 2011)  Earlier today, the Board of Directors of Stevenson Memorial Hospital (Stevenson) announced that Annette Jones, the Hospital’s Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO), will be replacing Gary Ryan as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 1, 2011. Ryan has accepted the position of COO at Southlake Regional Health Centre (Southlake) and will remain as Stevenson’s CEO until November 30, 2011.

“Annette Jones has extensive experience working at Stevenson and has earned the respect of her colleagues and the Board of Directors for her commitment to the delivery of safe, quality patient care and services at our hospital,” stated Scott Anderson, Chairman of the Board. “Based on her extensive clinical background and her many accomplishments to date, we are thrilled to welcome her as our new President and CEO.”

Jones has worked at Stevenson since 2007, and for the past 18 months, has fulfilled the role of Interim COO, in addition to her duties as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice-President at Southlake.  During her time at Stevenson, she has worked in partnership with members of the Board, management, physicians, hospital staff, and volunteers to enhance the quality of patient care and to expand the range of clinical services available, reopen and expand the Maternal Child Program, and increase educational and training opportunities for staff.  In her role as President and CEO, Jones’ priority will be to work with the Board of Directors to identify opportunities for improved access to care for the residents of New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio and surrounding areas. Under the 2007 management services contract between Stevenson and Southlake, Jones, as was the case with Ryan, will equally divide her time between both hospitals.

Jones received her Master of Science in Nursing in 1988 and her Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree in 1995, both from the University of Toronto. She earned a diploma in Health Care Administration from the Ontario Hospital Association in 2003, and completed the Dorothy Wylie Nursing Leadership Institute Program in 2004 and the Rotman Advanced Health Leadership Program in 2011.

“It is an honour to accept the position of President and CEO at Stevenson,” said Jones.” It has been a privilege working with the many dedicated people who work, practise and volunteer at Stevenson. I look forward to continue working with them, as well as members of the community, to help ensure that local residents have access to exceptional care both today and in the future.”

Anderson also expressed his gratitude to Ryan on behalf of the Board of Directors, stating, “I would like to thank Gary for his dedicated service to Stevenson. His transparent and approachable leadership style has played an important role in regaining the community’s trust that their local hospital is being effectively managed on a daily basis. We sincerely wish Gary every success in his new role at Southlake.”

During Ryan’s tenure as President and CEO, with very substantial assistance from the Stevenson Hospital Foundation, Stevenson has reopened its Obstetrics Program, opened a new CT scan unit, increased access to diagnostic services – including colonoscopy and cardiology – and, scheduled to open later this year, a new digital mammography unit.  In October 2010, Ryan played a significant role in helping Stevenson receive full accreditation by Accreditation Canada. Accreditation – which is the highest level of recognition awarded by the council’s Board of Directors – assesses an organization’s commitment to safe, quality care based on national standards of excellence. In 2009, only 30 percent of participating hospitals in Canada achieved full accreditation status.

“While I’m honoured to accept my new role at Southlake, I would like to thank the members of Stevenson’s Hospital, Foundation, and Auxiliary Boards for their invaluable support and guidance during my term as President and CEO at Stevenson Memorial Hospital. The community is very fortunate to have such dedicated people who volunteer their time to support the ongoing success of their local hospital,” stated Ryan. “I would also like to thank the physicians, staff, and volunteers for everything they do, everyday, to deliver exceptional care to our patients. It has been a privilege to work alongside them for the past four years and to celebrate a number of successes that would not have been possible without their hard work and commitment.”