Pictured from left to right are, Dr. David Yan, Dr. Chaim Bell and Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld.
Congratulations Dr. Chaim Bell, Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld, Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Dr. David Yan, Ophthalmologist-in-Chief who each have been re-appointed for a second term to their leadership roles. During their tenure, all three of these leaders have successfully advanced the clinical, quality and academic goals of their departments.
During his first term as Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Bell strengthened the delivery of exceptional patient centered care, promoted and supported collaborative research, enriched the educational experience of trainees and fellows, and supported the growth of faculty members. Under Dr. Bell’s direction, Sinai Health provided outstanding care to patients with COVID-19, supported partner institutions, advocated publically and carried out important COVID-19 related research in the midst of unprecedented clinical demand.
Under Dr. Wiesenfeld’s leadership, the Department of Psychiatry has made important progress on enhancing access to acute psychiatric care, recruited new academic clinicians, increased quality and safety initiatives, and expanded its services at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital. Dr. Wiesenfeld led the development of a Substance Use Disorders Program, which will have impact across Sinai Health. In this role, she has fostered Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) projects to accomplish EDI and Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism goals.
As Ophthalmologist-in-Chief, Dr. Yan, transformed the department. Under his guidance, the Ophthalmology department moved into a new space complete with updated equipment and operations, resulting in improved access and experience for patients and the care team. Dr. Yan successfully recruited ophthalmology staff to ensure the clinical needs of the hospital were met, from the Emergency Department to the NICU, and did so by making Sinai Health a highly sought after practice location for Ophthalmologists.
For their next terms, all three leaders have committed to aligning their department’s strategic planning to the goals and priorities of Sinai Health’s 2023-28 Strategic Plan. There will be a focus to strengthen partnerships with patients and families and academic and hospital peers.
Health care in Ontario continues to be a dynamic environment. Drs. Bell, Wiesenfeld and Yan’s re-appointments will provide stability and leadership at Sinai Health, as well as at the regional and provincial level in the sector.