The Niagara Health System is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Edgardo Pérez, a world-renowned authority in the field of wellness, mental health and addictions, as the lead of its Mental Health and Addictions Program.
“On behalf of our NHS leadership team I am very privileged to welcome Dr. Pérez to our Medical Staff as Regional Chief of the Mental Health and Addictions Program. It has taken several years of searching, but we got him!” said NHS Interim Chief of Staff, Dr. Joanna Hope.
“For the people of Niagara, and the patients, staff and physicians of the NHS, it is indeed a wonderful day. Equipped with a world-renowned leader, a wonderful space in the new building, and the Mental Health and Addictions Program, the NHS is well on its way to becoming a leader…my dream is nationally…in creating a patient client centred model of care for the very important patients in Niagara who have need of this Program.”
Dr. Pérez has an outstanding list of accolades in his field; most recently he was a consultant to the Ministry of Health in Newfoundland and Labrador to review mental health and addiction services in that Province. During his 18-year tenure as CEO and President at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, a centre recognized as a leader in mental health and addiction treatment, the organization achieved national recognition and a number of prestigious quality and healthy work-place awards.
Dr. Pérez holds clinical professorship appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa and McMaster University, as well as in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto.
His commitment to excellence is reflected in his long-term involvement as a board member and surveyor for Accreditation Canada, both nationally and internationally, as well as a Senior Advisor for mental health and healthy workplace programs at Awards Excellence Canada, a national organization that promotes quality, innovation and healthy workplace initiatives in the profit and non-profit sectors.
“The appointment of Dr. Pérez is a significant win for the Niagara Health System and the patients we serve,” said Interim President & CEO Sue Matthews.
“His expertise in corporate and organizational training programs focusing on issues such as employee emotional well-being and its impact on organizational productivity is sought after across the globe and will certainly be an asset to the NHS as we move forward as an organization.”
For years he has succeeded in developing mental health programs and standards in China, Central and South America and is committed to the creation of linkages at the local, national and international level, assuming a leadership role in mental health research across the globe.
A combination of factors attracted Dr. Pérez to Niagara.
“At this stage in my career I am focused on the importance of relationships and community building,” he said.
“I want to harness the strengths I have developed in the field of mental health, addictions and wellness with a team that is innovative and willing to grow. Having met several times with the NHS Senior Management Team I am confident in their drive and feel that Niagara has the essential ingredients to build a world-class program,” he added.
Mental Health and Addiction services currently span across the NHS sites.
At over 81,000 sq. ft., the Program boasts the largest department square footage in the new Catharines Site, encompassing the entire first level of the inpatient platform.
When inpatient services consolidate at the new site in 2013, the Program will provide a full range of mental health and addiction services to patients in the Region. Outpatient mental health and addictions services will continue to be provided across the NHS sites.
View Bullet News interview with Dr. Pérez
