OSMH welcomes new Chair and 3 new Directors as hospital recounts highly successful 2023/24 at Fireside Chat

(Orillia, ON) – Lawre Pietras is beginning his 7^th year on the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) Board of Directors as the newly elected Chair.  Pietras, who has served as both 1^st and 2^nd Vice-Chairs during his tenure, was originally elected to the Board in 2018, and re-elected to additional 3-year terms in 2021 and again at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) this past Tuesday.

“I’m excited to carry forward the exceptional leadership of Ligaya Byrch (immediate past Chair) as we continue to grow, providing excellent, compassionate care, expanding our impact in partnership locally and regionally and focus our efforts towards building a new hospital in Orillia,” said Pietras.

Byrch has served the past two years as Chair and will remain on the Board after also being re-elected to a 3^rd consecutive 3-year term earlier this week.

Joining Byrch and Pietras on the Board are newcomers Dr. Kunle Akingbola, Paul Beesley, and Dr. Ryan McVeigh. Dr. Akingbola is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and a Professor of Human Resources Management and Organizational Behaviour at Lakehead University.  Beesley is a former Chief Superintendent and Interim Deputy Commissioner with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), while Dr. McVeigh is an Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Lakehead.

At the AGM, the hospital also took time to pay tribute to outgoing Board members Sheila Marner, Brian Sirbovan, and Jamie Williams, as well as Dr. Lindsay Alston who will conclude her term as Chief of Staff at the end of June.

A complete list of the new Board is available below and on the hospital’s website HERE

Newly formatted Annual Report highlighted at OSMH Fireside Chat 

As part of an ongoing commitment to community engagement, OSMH hosted another successful Fireside Chat on Thursday with attendance available online or in-person.

With discussion led by newly elected Chair Lawre Pietras and OSMH President and CEO Carmine Stumpo, the hospital unveiled its first-ever Annual Report in a video format.   Click here to view the 2023/24 OSMH Annual Report.

 The Fireside Chat, and Introduction to New OSMH Board Members, can also be viewed at the links provided.

Photo Caption: (L-R) Newly elected Directors to the OSMH Board Dr. Ryan McVeigh, Dr. Kunle Akingbola, Paul Beesley are welcomed by newly elected Chair Lawre Pietras.

 OSMH Board of Directors
(As of June 28, 2024)

Elected Voting Members
Lawrence Pietras, Chair
Terri McKinnon, 1^st Vice-Chair
Ryan Spurgeon, 2^nd Vice-Chair
Dr. Kunle Akingbola
Paul Beesley
Kelly Brownbill
Ken Brownlee
Dr. Janice Burrows
Ligaya Byrch
Peter Caldwell
Dr. Sheila Clark
Dr. Ryan McVeigh

Ex-Officio Voting Members
Mayor Don McIssac, Representative, City of Orillia
Jamie McIsaac, Representative, Royal Canadian Legion
Glenna Tinney, Representative, Nurses Alumni

Ex-Officio Non-Voting Members
Carmine Stumpo, President and CEO, Secretary
Dr. Melanie Colpitts, President, Medical Staff Association
Dr. Gabrielle Salmers, Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer, Medical Staff   Association
TBD, Chief of Staff
Jill Colin, Chief Nursing Executive