Collingwood hospital names interim leader as president nears retirement

The Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH) has announced a new interim leader to take the helm from outgoing president and CEO Norah Holder. 

Michael Lacroix was named the interim president and CEO for the hospital effective April 15. He is currently the vice president of corporate services and chief financial officer at CGMH. 

Lacroix has been part of the hospital's senior leadership team for a decade, and has worked in the health care sector for 18 years. He is a chartered professional accountant and has a master of health science degree from the University of Toronto.

Hospital board chair Lesley Paul said Lacroix is already a "well-respected" member of the hospital's leadership team. 

"Michael's leadership on the hospital's redevelopment project, as well as his ability to successfully manage the hospital's finances, especially during the pandemic, make him well-suited to bridge the leadership gap during the board's recruitment process," said Paul in a news release from the hospital.  

Holder announced her retirement in November with her final day on May 15. 

With Lacroix taking the lead for the interim, the hospital will continue to work to recruit a permanent president and CEO. 

In a previous interview, Holder said one of the most fulfilling pieces of her work at CGMH was being involved in the redevelopment process. The hospital passed the first stage of a five-stage provincial process toward a new or rebuilt hospital. 

The province announced in August the stage one submission from CGMH for redevelopment was approved and the hospital was given $15 million toward the next step in the planning process. 

“Getting to stage two, to me, demonstrates the commitment of the province and the ministry to a hospital development here,” said Holder during an interview in December, 2021. “People can argue about the semantics of the development, but [the province] is committed, they understand an investment is required here to build a hospital.” 

Lacroix, as CFO, has also been involved in the hospital's redevelopment application to the province. 

"I am fortunate to have worked alongside Norah Holder for the past 10 years and have learned a tremendous amount from her," said Lacroix in the news release. "I am truly excited about this opportunity ... although CGMH continues to work through COVID-19 pandemic challenges, we remain committed to advancing community health through compassionate, innovative, and collaborative care."