August 6, 2004

NETWORK APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

KINGSTON - The Health Care Network of Southeastern Ontario (HCNSEO) announces the appointment of Allan Katz as its new Managing Director. Katz is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Deep River and District Hospital and is leaving that post after three years of service to the Upper Ottawa Valley community. He will assume his new positions in Kingston on September 7, 2004. He succeeds Alan Grant, who was Managing Director for the past three years.

While in Deep River, Katz chaired a Renfrew county-wide voluntary hospital network which aimed to coordinate the delivery of programs and consolidate administrative services in the area. He also represented the hospitals on several county and regional initiatives. Prior to his Deep River appointment, he was the Director of Management and Regional Services at the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre in Sudbury, where he lead the development of a comprehensive, integrated regional cancer care system.

He also served as Assistant Executive Director of the Muskoka/Parry Sound District Health Councils, where he was responsible for the ongoing development of two rural acute care health systems. In that capacity, he was involved in several regional planning initiatives in Northeastern Ontario.

"The HCNSEO believes that Allan's extensive experience will complement the expertise we already have within the Network," says Bob Kitcher, Interim Chair. "He is personable, enthusiastic and will be a terrific addition to our team. He will also be a strong facilitator and collaborator with all health providers in the region."

The HCNSEO is a voluntary partnership of health service organizations in Southeastern Ontario who are working together to improve the delivery of health services in the region. The partnership currently includes the hospitals, community care access centres, public health units, district health council, regional cancer centre and Queen's University.