THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – Dr. Mark Henderson will take on a new leadership role at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Earlier today, the Health Sciences Centre and Cancer Care Ontario announced the joint appointment of Dr. Mark Henderson to the position of Executive Vice President, Chronic Disease Prevention & Management for TBRHSC; and Regional Vice President, Cancer Services, Northwest Regional Cancer Program, Cancer Care Ontario.
Since joining the Health Sciences Centre team in 2008, Henderson successfully led the development of the Interventional Cardiology Program and most recently held the position of Medical Director of the Cardiovascular and Stroke Program.
Andrée Robichaud, President & CEO of TBRHSC, is pleased to welcome Henderson to the new role. “Mark’s commitment to quality and collaboration has paid dividends to cardiac patients in Northwestern Ontario. His ability to advance a vision will serve us well as we continue to implement our Strategic Plan,” she says.
“I’m excited to welcome Mark to Cancer Care Ontario’s provincial leadership team,” says Michael Sherar, President & CEO of Cancer Care Ontario. “This new, expanded portfolio enables him to apply his expertise and experience to the cancer system by working with physicians, hospitals, cancer service providers, and patient and community groups to plan and implement improvements to cancer services in the Northwest region.”
Henderson will be responsible for leading the Regional Cancer Program and the Integrated Cancer Program at TBRHSC, as well as the Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Program which includes Prevention & Screening Services, Supportive & Palliative Care Services, the Cardiovascular & Stroke Program, the Chronic Disease Program & Medicine Services, and the Mental Health Program (integrated with St. Joseph’s Care Group).
In addition, Henderson will continue to perform cardiac catheterizations at the Health Sciences Centre one day per week.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to support the cardiac catheterization team and to help better cancer care for patients in the Northwest,” says Henderson. “I strongly believe in the strategic vision of chronic disease prevention and management, and I support Cancer Care Ontario’s focus to reduce the number of Ontarians diagnosed with cancer and to ensure high quality care at every step of the patient journey.”
Karen McDaid, a member of the Health Sciences Centre’s Board of Directors, says a clinician in this important role will benefit patients. “As a practitioner, Dr. Henderson brings an important clinical perspective to the role,” McDaid notes. “His instinct is to always consider patient needs first, and that is critical to our commitment to Patient and Family Centred Care.”
The decision to transition to the new role was made easy for Henderson by the strength of the teams already in place. “My job is to support and enable the very capable people who manage the programs and services. I look forward to working with my new colleagues as we move ahead,” he says.
Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation, noted that Henderson is a leader by example. “In addition to his clinical and administrative dedication to patient care, Mark has made significant donations to support advances,” he said. “His commitment is outstanding.”
Henderson is a highly respected practitioner, mentor, and educator. He is a leading Interventional Cardiologist with 30 years clinical experience in various communities. Since completing his fellowship at Toronto General Hospital, Henderson has held leadership roles in Cardiac Services at various hospitals in Canada including Toronto, Halifax and Vancouver.
Henderson has also worked as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Dalhousie Medical Schools. His portfolio includes extensive Cardiac Research and he has successfully published his findings in leading national and international medical journals.