The president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital has received a provincial appointment related to his work in London.
The Ontario Ministry of Health has appointed David Musyj as Supervisor of the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), where he has been seconded since May as its acting president and CEO. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, Musyj's supervisor role is to last 18 months.
Also, the entire LHSC board of directors has resigned.
"I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the full LHSC Board of Directors who have made the decision to voluntarily step down from their position in acknowledgment of the need for a fresh path for LHSC under new leadership," Musyj said in a media release. "The Board has shared their gratitude to Team LHSC for their continued commitment to our patients and this community. This decision allows LHSC to move forward confidently under the guidance of a supervisor, ensuring that the focus remains on ensuring the highest quality of care is delivered in our community."
While serving as Supervisor at LHSC, Musyj will be responsible for overseeing its senior leadership and addressing issues of hospital operations, including the hospital's financial performance, which has raised concerns.
He will also be required to check in regularly with the Ministry and present a final report.
WRH Board of Directors Chair Patti France reiterated that there is no change in how things are run in Windsor.
"The Board of Directors of WRH have approved David to take a leave of absence to fulfill his duties as Supervisor of LHSC," said France. "Karen Riddell will remain as Acting President and CEO while David is on leave from WRH."
Musyj has worked to right the ship at the LHSC, which has been rocked by turnover and scandal in recent years.
In 2021, then-President and CEO Dr. Paul Woods was fired by LHSC for taking trips to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later sued the hospital for wrongful dismissal, and the two sides reached a settlement.
In November 2023, a London Free Press investigation revealed that LHSC executives had spent, or were planning to spend, hundreds of thousands of dollars on trips to Australia, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates.
The succeeding president and CEO, Dr. Jackie Schleifer Taylor, took a leave of absence, then departed completely in June.
-with files from Adelle Loiselle, Ruby Sweeney, and Scott Kitching