Dr. Johan Viljoen, a long-time Niagara resident and experienced and visionary physician leader well known for the passion and dedication he brings to the provision of quality, safe, patient-centred care, will assume the key position of Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President Medical for Niagara Health on a permanent basis.
Following a professional search, Dr. Viljoen’s appointment as Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President Medical was unanimously endorsed yesterday evening by our Board of Directors. The appointment takes effect immediately.
"Dr. Viljoen has held several senior leadership positions with Niagara Health, most recently as Interim Chief of Staff for the last 13 months, and he has an impressive track record of accomplishments,” says Bunny Alexander, Vice Chair of the Board. "He has been instrumental in launching new quality and safety initiatives and developing stronger relationships with our physicians and community partners. Speaking on behalf of the Board, it will be a pleasure to work with Dr. Viljoen as he continues to make a significant impact on providing extraordinary patient experiences and building on the positive momentum taking place within the hospital and our region."
Dr. Viljoen first joined Niagara Health in 1993. Prior to serving as Interim Chief of Staff, he held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff at Niagara Health for almost two and a half years. He has served two terms as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is an experienced Obstetrician/Gynecologist and is a certified physician executive with extensive clinical leadership experience. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University. Dr. Viljoen holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts in addition to his numerous medical academic credentials. Dr. Viljoen is often called upon as a clinical assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons and as a peer reviewer for the American College of Physician Executives.
"It has been a privilege to serve the community of Niagara as a physician dating back 26 years," says Dr. Viljoen. "Over the years, I have been trusted to contribute to many initiatives as part of Niagara Health, affording me the opportunity to guide teams, build strong and productive relationships, and ultimately enhance the care we provide our patients and families. It is an honour for me to serve as Chief of Staff at Niagara Health. We are making great progress in addressing the unique needs of Niagara residents, and I am deeply committed to continuing on our journey of team-building and partnership to strengthen patient experiences and access to local healthcare services for everyone who lives in our region."
As Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President Medical Affairs, Dr. Viljoen oversees medical quality of care through Niagara Health’s Medical Advisory Committee and provides overall medical leadership to the hospital. As the organization’s lead physician, Dr. Viljoen will continue to make significant contributions to the hospital’s Senior Management team and as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors
"In his roles as Interim Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Viljoen was successful in expanding the health services offered in Niagara and strengthening relationships with physicians, among other accomplishments,” says Niagara Health Interim President Angela Zangari. "Anyone who knows Dr. Viljoen knows how tremendously passionate he is about Niagara Health and the Niagara region, and about ensuring all residents of Niagara have seamless access to quality healthcare services."
"Dr. Viljoen has done excellent work retaining and recruiting the best of the best physicians to work at our sites across Niagara – more than 180 physician recruitments and leadership appointments at Niagara Health since 2014, 125 of them since Dr. Viljoen assumed the role of Deputy Chief," says Dr. Tom Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Niagara Health and President and Chief Executive Officer at St. Joseph’s Health System. "Dr. Viljoen has played a significant role in these achievements, and I am excited to see his continued successes in attracting specialists from across Canada and around the world."