St. Joe’s president Melissa Farrell leaves Hamilton for Halton CEO position

Melissa Farrell, president of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton since 2019, is resigning from her position to take on the role of President and CEO at Halton Healthcare this summer.

St. Joe’s says an interim president will be named in the coming weeks.

“Following an extensive national search, the Board was unanimous in selecting Melissa Farrell as the best leader to take on this exciting and challenging role,” says Richard Nunn, Chair, Board of Directors, Halton Healthcare.

“Melissa’s depth of knowledge in hospital operations, coupled with her expertise in the provincial healthcare system, her strong values-based leadership skills and her strong focus on relationships, makes her well-suited to lead our organization in the next phase of our journey to deliver on our purpose… and to realize our vision of providing exemplary patient experiences, always.”

Farrell led St. Joe’s through the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ms. Farrell is a dynamic leader, widely recognized for her collaborative approach and expertise in health system funding, quality improvement, partnership development and navigating the provincial health landscape,” stated St. Joe’s in an official statement. “She has been responsible for advancing an integrated vision for a holistic mission-oriented approach to care – focused on advancing the bundled care agenda and Ontario Health Teams, launching innovative technology advancements and providing truly excellent care.”

Farrell is also an Ontario Hospital Association board member and serves as co-chair of the Mental Health Partners and Ontario Health West Mental Health Table and chair for the Greater Hamilton Health Network. She is also a director of the Catholic Health Association of Ontario.

“I am thrilled about this wonderful opportunity and look forward to leading this outstanding organization known for providing exceptional care and for its dedicated and talented team of professionals. I am excited to get to know the organization better and the growing communities Halton Healthcare serves,” said Farrell, who will assume her new role on June 5, 2023.

“Healthcare is constantly changing. I look forward to building on the strong foundation that is well established at Halton Healthcare and to helping evolve and support the current and future needs of our communities and our teams.”

Farrell holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Planning from Queen’s University. She also completed leadership programs at Harvard
Business School, Ivey Business School, and The Rotman School of Management.

Farrell replaces Denise Hardenne, who will retire on March 24, 2023.