London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
London

Top LHSC exec taking leave amid scandal, cites health issues

The President & CEO of London Health Sciences Centre is taking some time away from the job.

Jackie Schleifer Taylor is on a leave of absence, with the LHSC board chair citing a health issue.

"I wanted to provide you with an update that due to a health matter, Dr. Jackie Schleifer Taylor is taking an immediate leave, with support from the Board of Directors," Chair Matthew Wilson wrote in an internal letter to hospital staff sent out on Wednesday afternoon. "I want to assure you that LHSC has well-established plans in place for all leadership and operations during this interim period."

"LHSC continues to deliver on our strategic priorities with our patients, staff, physicians and community at the forefront, as we continue to transform health, together," Wilson added.  

Schleifer Taylor's leave comes just over a week after the London Free Press reported that hospital executives had planned to spend nearly $500,000 on travel to Portugal, United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

The Australia trip was cancelled after the cost of the trip become public knowledge.

Schleifer Taylor was listed as a speaker at the World Hospital Congress conference in Portugal.

In the interim, Wilson told hospital staff that she'll be replaced by Dr. Kevin Chan.

"Kevin has proven to be a strategic leader and I have every confidence that he, along with our incredibly capable leadership team, will continue to provide strong guidance to Team LHSC and the patients, families, and communities we serve," Wilson wrote.

According to Sunshine List data, Schleifer Taylor made $753,745 in 2022 - a hefty raise from her 2021 salary of $521,397.

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