Message from the Chair of Unity Health Toronto’s Board of Directors
Please see the following message on behalf of Nora Aufreiter, Chair, Unity Health Toronto’s Board of Directors, followed by a personal message from Tim Rutledge, President and CEO
After more than six years of remarkable leadership through a transformational period in Unity Health Toronto’s history, Dr. Tim Rutledge has made the decision to retire from his role as our network’s inaugural President and CEO.
Tim has been a pivotal figure in shaping Unity Health, overseeing the formation of our integrated network, naming and branding the organization, and leading the development and implementation of our first strategic plan. The plan has set a vision that continues to unify us in creating the best care experiences together. His leadership was particularly crucial during the COVID-19 global pandemic, guiding us through one of the most challenging times the healthcare sector has ever faced.
Tim’s tenure is marked by his unwavering dedication to equity and diversity. He has passionately championed initiatives that ensure every patient, staff, physician, trainee and community member feels valued and respected. Under his leadership, Unity Health has adopted policies, practices and education programs that foster inclusivity and address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. His commitment to creating a more equitable healthcare environment has strengthened our community and set a standard for compassionate and inclusive care.
Our strategy has been profoundly relevant as we navigate an evolving healthcare system, guided by our mission and values, and focused on optimizing Unity Health’s role in providing excellent, efficient and integrated care experiences for all. Thanks to Tim’s leadership, Unity Health is well positioned to continue to lead system transformation and have a broader impact through our research, education and innovation.
On the behalf of myself and our Board of Directors, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Tim for charting our course and creating a foundation built on values-based leadership, a continuous pursuit of quality and leading innovations in healthcare, and always thinking about what is right for our patients and their families first. These will be legacy impacts in our organization’s vision that will be felt for years to come.
The Board of Directors has begun the process to initiate a broad search for our future CEO and Tim will continue in his current capacity to support a smooth transition. We anticipate this process will run until late Spring 2025 and we will continue to share updates in the months ahead.
Nora Aufreiter
Chair of the Board of Directors
Unity Health Toronto
Dear Unity Health Colleagues,
After much reflection, I have made the personal decision to retire from my role as President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto in 2025. By then, it will be seven years in what has been one of the most fulfilling chapters in my career.
It has been an immense privilege to serve in healthcare for nearly 40 years, including 25 years of emergency medicine and a spectrum of educational and leadership roles. The time feels right for me personally, with a growing family that includes five grandchildren (so far!). It also feels right for Unity Health. As we look to shape the next evolution of our strategy, it’s only fitting that this work is guided by the next CEO.
Serving as Unity Health’s inaugural President and CEO has been a true honour. We have accomplished so much together. We have brought three great hospitals and 12 satellite sites together as one network, and named it Unity Health Toronto! We’ve advanced our first strategic plan that remains as relevant today as when it was initially drafted. We’ve made it a priority to address antiracism, health equity and social accountability, and are investing in learning and foundational programs to continually work on making Unity Health a welcoming and inclusive place for all.
Unity Health is also at the forefront of global health research, innovation and education. We’re leading in cutting-edge specialty programs and breaking new ground in health AI, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
I am so proud of what we are accomplishing together, and am continually inspired by the dedication and compassionate care delivered by our frontline teams and the incredible support staff who make it all possible. Our strength is our people, and your commitment to our mission and values is what makes Unity Health stand out.
I am very much looking forward to the work ahead, and fully committed to continuing in this role to support a smooth transition in leadership of this great organization. We have lots of important work to do over the coming months, including implementing the largest clinical transformation project we’ve done together as Unity Health.
While we still have lots of time together, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to each and every one of you on “Team Unity Health.” I look forward to connecting in more personal ways in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Tim Rutledge
President and CEO
Unity Health Toronto