THUNDER BAY – George Jeffrey Children’s Centre Board President, Robert Speer, has announced the impending retirement of the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Eiji Tsubouchi. “With heartfelt appreciation for his 11 years of dedicated service to George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, I announce the retirement of Eiji Tsubouchi, effective March 31, 2013,” says Speer.
Tsubouchi left retirement in 2001 to accept the Chief Executive Officer position at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, declaring that this was his “dream job”. He had previously retired from his role as the Executive Director of the Wilson Memorial General Hospital in Marathon and prior to that, he served as Assistant Executive Director of the Hogarth-Westmount.
Over the past decade, Eiji has guided George Jeffrey Children’s Centre through some challenging times but also through times of great growth. In all of his decisions and actions, he has maintained one key priority in his heart and in his mind; that the needs of the Centre’s children must come first.
“There is no doubt that Eiji’s legacy will continue on in the priorities of the Centre and in the lives of children with disabilities across the region,” says Speer. “He has inspired the Centre’s Board and staff with his mission to improve the quality and access to treatment services for children in Northwestern Ontario and above all else, with his vision to enrich children’s lives.”
Under Eiji’s tenure, George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, has been able to serve more children and become one of the larger children’s treatment centres in the Province.
A few highlights of his leadership include:
- Leading the Centre through a new building feasibility study;
- Collaborating with the Ontario Government for $6.5 million to build a new children’s treatment centre;
- Guiding the creation and management of the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation and serving as an ex-officio member on its founding Board of Directors;
- Receiving the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Award;
- Representing the Centre through a $4.5 million Capital Fundraising Campaign;
- Managing the design, construction and relocation of the Centre and its staff to a new 33,500 square feet building in Westfort;
- Serving as the regional representative on the Ontario Association ofChildren’s Rehabilitation Services (OACRS) Leadership Council.
- Organizing and leading the successful effort to bring innovative new children’s treatment services, resources and technologies to the North.
- Was one of the founding members of HealthPro Procurement Services Inc and has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the past 8 years. HealthPro is the largest Group Purchasing Organization in Canada.
“The work that Eiji has accomplished during his time with our Centre will continue to benefit the region for years to come,” continues Speer. “It has been an honour to work with him and he has become much more than a colleague but a valued friend over the past 11 years.
After a most successful career, Eiji decided that the time is right for him to retire for the last time. He and his wife plan to spend time with their family here in the Thunder Bay.
A Search and Selection Committee has been formed to find a successor.