Waypoint is making changes to senior management

PRESS RELEASE
WAYPOINT MENTAL HEALTH CARE CENTER
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Waypoint Center for Mental Health Care announces the appointment of three senior executives as it reorganizes hospital resources to best achieve current and future goals.

These appointments will ensure Waypoint continues to successfully deliver on its ambitious and inspiring strategic commitments, focusing on delivering exceptional experiences for and with patients, customers, their families and care partners, supporting staff wellbeing and retention in a positive and rewarding care environment, and working collaboratively supporting mental health, addiction treatment and geriatric care within the wider healthcare system.

“We have been considering the next steps in our organizational structure given the upcoming September retirement of Linda Adams, our vice president of patient experience and chief nursing officer,” said Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, president and CEO of Waypoint. “These leadership changes are aligned with our values, continue to develop leaders within our organization, are budget neutral, and will support the Waypoint team to continue to lead, collaborate and partner for a brighter future.”

Summary of changes in senior management

Senior Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer

Effective June 3, 2024, Rob Desroches became Senior Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer.

Between now and September 13, 2024, Adams and Desroches will work closely to ensure a smooth transition within our organization and with our partners and stakeholders.

The portfolio includes the current clinical services portfolio as well as the Patient Experience portfolio. This decision reflects Desroches’ deep knowledge and commitment to Waypoint’s mission and values. With decades of service at Waypoint, he brings unparalleled experience and knowledge of the valuable and challenging work of the hospital, and everyone who knows him appreciates the deeply compassionate and patient-centered mindset he brings to identifying creative solutions and executing strategic initiatives.

“It is an honor to serve our patients and work with such a dedicated and talented team,” said Desroches, who joined Waypoint as a staff nurse in 1992 and most recently served as vice president of clinical services and chief operating officer. “Waypoint is committed to providing excellence in mental health and addiction care, and I am excited to continue that mission in this new role.”

To support Desroches, Waypoint has created two interim assistant vice president positions that will report directly to him. These appointments take effect on July 22, 2024.

Interim Associate Vice President for Clinical Services

Chad Draper, currently director of the Awenda, Bayview and Beckwith programs, will serve as interim associate vice president of clinical services. Draper will have a portfolio of all inpatient forensic mental health programs, including the provincial high-security forensics and Brébeuf programs and the Clinical Liaison Office for the Ontario Institutional Review Board.

Interim Assistant to the Vice President for Patient Experience, Quality and Professional Practice

Yaakov Keilikhis, currently director of quality, professional practice and patient safety, will serve as interim associate vice president of patient experience, quality and professional practice. Keilikhis’ portfolio will include oversight of quality, patient safety, IPAC and patient relations, practice and outcomes, pharmacy, and ethics and spiritual care.

“I look forward to the valuable contributions that Rob, Chad and Yaakov will make as servant leaders focused on excellent patient care and staff well-being,” said Dr. Sunderji. “I would also like to express my gratitude to Linda for her leadership and dedication over the past eight years. Her commitment to staff development and high-quality patient care will have a lasting impact on Waypoint and will serve as an inspiration to us in the future.”

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