Vancouver Coastal Health CEO Dr. David Ostrow announces impending retirement

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      The province's largest health authority will begin looking for new president and CEO in the next few weeks.

      That's because the incumbent, Dr. David Ostrow, has announced that he'll retire in March 2014.

      Ostrow became CEO in 2009 and will leave at the end of the health authority's fiscal year.

      He received $422,985 in compensation in 2012–13, according to a health-authority disclosure statement.

      In a statement on Vancouver Coastal Health's website, chair Kip Woodward praised Ostrow for a number of measures, including:

      • "pay-for-performance incentives to improve patient flow".

      • "industry-leading productivity improvements such as reduced sick time/overtime and programs that support employees to return to work".

      • "commitments to address the needs of our populations with mental health and addictions".

      • "major capital projects such as the Segal Family Wellness Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, the HOpe Centre at Lions Gate Hospital and a new St. Mary's Hospital in Sechelt".

      "David brought stability and a renewed focus on the human side of health care when appointed as president and CEO in 2009," Woodward added.

      In a June 27 note to staff, Ostrow revealed that there was a $1.7-million deficit less than three months into the fiscal year.

      The Ministry of Health budget increased funding to regional services by 2.6 percent in 2013–14, according to its service plan.

      In 2012–13, Vancouver Coastal Health balanced its $3.06-billion budget. The largest line-item expense, $1.76 billion, went to acute care.

      Another $420.3 million was allocated to residential care, with $290.7 million for mental health and substance use.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      Victor

      Dec 3, 2013 at 5:57pm

      Dr Ostrow is jot only a fine adminsitrator he epitomises the best kind of doctor. Empathetic, sense of humour, kind and organised. Always giving.

      The province will miss him. We should thank him for his constancy to BC, VGH and the university.

      Such a loss . Hope he still keeps practising!