Calling it a “rat’s nest of toxicity” a former Dresden resident and philanthropist has bashed the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, an organization he has supported and donated over a million dollars to over the years.
Andrew Faas, a long-time Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) supporter, lit into the CKHA in a blog post, published on Monday, August 22: Chatham-Kent Health Alliance: A Scathing Report.
“An investigation was commissioned by Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care ‘to examine and report on issues related to the governance and management’ of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA),” Faas wrote.
“The investigators’ report exposed a top heavy management team led by a bully CEO, governed by a negligent and neutered board of directors and a rat’s nest of toxicity.”
Faas he is “very concerned” how this “disturbing report” will negatively affect CKHA’s ability to attract and retain health care professionals and donors.
“This report could also affect the community, in terms of attracting employers and jobs to the area, because health care is a major factor in decisions to locate,” Faas wrote.
“Over the last decade, I have met many CKHA employees and must emphasize that were it not for their passion, dedication and professionalism; patient care would have been severely compromised.”
Faas pointed out a portion of Bonnie Adamson’s report that discussed the CKHA organizational culture, which was “frequently described by both hospital and medical staff to be one of fear, intimidation, distrust and an unsafe environment in which to voice their opinions without retaliation. A hierarchical and centralized decision-making management style that also lacked in transparency was also frequently described.”
“These people worked under horrible conditions,” Faas wrote.
“My intelligence is that that the CEO and his cronies on management and the board are feverishly working on a public response to discredit the report. The public and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care should not get sucked in by this. I can attest to the investigators’ findings, as I have witnessed the CEO in action and have spoken with many employees.”
Faas said he was interviewed by a consultant commissioned by the CEO.
“I clearly voiced my concerns about the climate, which were consistent with the report’s findings,” he wrote.
“The report by the consultant who interviewed me made zero mention of the critical comments expressed by myself and others he interviewed, and based on my experience, his report was typical of the ‘snake oil salesmen’ who tell the CEOs what they want to hear in order to gain additional assignments.”
Faas said based on his extensive research and as an expert in organizational culture and dynamics, the situation at CKHA is “unfortunately more common than not.
“Thankfully, a Ministry-appointed Supervisor will be selected ‘to restore robust governance and administrative/clinical leadership to ensure sustainable and appropriate oversight of patient care and financial management,'” Faas said.
Addressing the citizens of Chatham Kent, Faas said he wants people to maintain hope for the organization.
“Do not lose faith in what I consider to be a wonderful institution with incredible people who have managed to provide superior patient care under very trying circumstances,” Faas said.
“Please embrace them and continue to support them – with new management and governance, your investment will pay huge dividends.”
Faas added: “To employees everywhere, if you are working in an environment similar to that of CKHA, make your voice heard in a safe way – citing this case study.”
No comment from Patey
Colin Patey, the President and CEO of the CKHA, chose not to respond to Faas’ comments.
“It’s not our practice to respond to opinion pieces or letters to the editor,” Zoja Holman, director of communications and organizational development with the CKHA, told the Sydenham Current.
“At this time, Colin’s only comment remains that he supports the appointment of a Supervisor and looks forward to supporting their work.”
Patey also said in a statement earlier this month that he questions some of the findings in Adamson’s report.
“Over a very short period of time, the investigator attempted to examine some of our organization’s processes and practices,” Patey said in a statement sent to the Sydenham Current.
“Like any institution, we expect we have room for improvement. We are committed to making improvements. The brief report did contain inaccurate information and statements which on their own misrepresents the character of our organization. I believe we all need to better understand the report’s findings in context in order to appropriately move forward as an organization.”
Faas’ contributions over the years
The Dresden native is a management advisor and former senior executive with Canada’s two largest retail organizations and now heads The Faas Foundation which focuses on Health Care, Education, and Medical Research.
He has also made bullying in the workplace a passion and helping prevent it a reason for being.
Faas has written a book on the topic as well, entitled: The Bully’s Trap.
Faas had arranged for pre-orders of the book to be available locally, with $5 from every book sold via the pre-order to be directed to the Foundation of CKHA’s $6.9 million CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.
This wasn’t the first time he contributed to the CKHA.
In late 2007, Faas donated $1 million to the Foundation of CKHA in support of the Making the Right Investment – MRI Campaign and CKHA’s Highest Priority Needs.
Some of Faas’ other accomplishments and contributions, include:
– Honorary Trustee and former Member of the Board and Chair of the HR Committee at The Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s premier cultural centre.
– In 2005 established the Faas Foundation to support not for profit organizations in health care, medical research and education.
– In 2007 was awarded the prestigious Humanitarian Award by the Israel Cancer Research Fund in recognition for his philanthropic and community contributions. In 2011, awarded The Beacon of Light award by the New York chapter of the ICRF.
– In 2009 was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Southern Canada chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals.
– In 2013 was awarded the Queens Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canada.
– Also in 2007, he also donated $1 million to fund the construction of St. Clair College’s (Windsor Campus) athletic complex.
– In October 2014, he gave a $1 million gift to CAMH’s (the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) Well@Work initiative to assist Canada’s leading hospital for mental health in developing new educational programs to create psychologically safe and healthier workplaces.
Latest developments with hospital issue
The local hospital issue stormed back into the headlines earlier this month when Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, announced that the province intends to appoint a hospital supervisor for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) hospitals.
This stemmed from the “damning” report from Adamson, who had been appointed by the LHIN back in June to investigate the CKHA.
Several people and groups, including the Sydenham District Hospital board, MPP Monte McNaughton and the Wallaceburg/Walpole Island Health Coalition, are looking forward to the supervisor taking over.
Colin Patey, the President and CEO of the CKHA, stated he believes the appointment of a supervisor is “necessary and will help bring stability“ to their governance situation, but has also noted some inaccuracies in Adamson’s report.
The Public Hospitals Act indicates the supervisor, which is set to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, would have sweeping powers over all three boards of the CKHA.
“Unless the appointment provides otherwise, a hospital supervisor has the exclusive right to exercise all of the powers of the board and, where the hospital is owned or operated by a corporation, of the corporation, its officers and members of the corporation,” the Public Hospitals Act reads.
We’ll provide more information on this story when it becomes available.
The mounting evidence of mismanagement suggests it is time for Mr Patey to offer his resignation
Efforts to bring ombudsman oversight to MUSH Sector (Municipalities Universities School and Hospitals) date back to 1975. We need hospitals to be under the watchful eye of the Ontario ombudsman office to restore accountability to Hospitals and how they are run and how dollars are spent.