CCHL and Lakeridge Health Agree to Three-Year Strategic Alliance

New partnership agreement serves as an avenue to promote excellence in health leadership

The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and Lakeridge Health have signed a new three-year Strategic Alliance Partnership to strengthen leadership capacity and promote excellence in health leadership across the organization.

Through this agreement, Lakeridge leaders have expanded access to leadership development opportunities and professional recognition via the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation. The CHE designation is the only national certification program for all Canadian health leaders. This program provides leaders with valuable benefits, including support for lifelong learning in health services leadership, enhanced career advancement opportunities, and meaningful peer recognition, while serving as a distinguished credential within the healthcare sector.

Stéphan (Steve) Plourde, CHE, Chief Operating Officer at CCHL, said: “The Canadian College of Health Leaders is delighted to partner with Lakeridge Health. This collaboration reflects Lakeridge’s strong commitment to cultivating leadership at all levels and to building a culture grounded in continuous learning and excellence.”

“At Lakeridge Health, we know that strong leadership starts with investing in our people,” added Petrina McGrath, Health System Executive, Quality and Practice, and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE). “Through this partnership with the Canadian College of Health Leaders, we’re creating opportunities for our teams to continue to grow, collaborate, and lead with confidence. By nurturing a culture that values learning and innovation, we’re strengthening Lakeridge Health as a workplace and trusted partner focused on delivering excellence everyday for those we serve.”

“When I lean into Leading Self, Leading Others, and Building Coalitions, it becomes more than a framework, it’s a shared journey of growth, connection, and trust,” said Umwali Sauter, Director, Inclusion Diversity and Equity (IDE) and Organizational Development, Lakeridge Health.  “Through these relationships, I continue to discover deeper clarity, compassion, and purpose, especially in times of complexity and change.”

This collaboration will also allow for both organizations to continue advancing leadership development in alignment with the LEADS in a Caring Environment framework. This framework is the foundation for leadership in Canada. LEADS defines the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for leaders to drive positive change within the Canadian health system.

About Lakeridge Health

With five hospitals, four emergency departments, three critical care units, a long-term care home, a full range of medical and surgical specialties, more than 30 community health-care locations and a state-of-the-art surgical centre within the Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre, Lakeridge Health offers some of the broadest and most comprehensive acute care, ambulatory care, and long-term care services in Ontario. 

Lakeridge Health is also home to several regional specialty centres and services, including the Central East Regional Cancer Program, R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, The Shoulder Centre, eye care, thoracic surgery, gynecology oncology, Level 3 Trauma Centre designation and chronic kidney disease services. Additionally, we are proud to serve our community with a full suite of inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based mental health and addictions services, and provide safe, high-quality, compassionate care in our state-of-the-art long-term care home, Lakeridge Gardens. 

Lakeridge Health is redefining the future of health care through transformative research, dynamic academic partnerships, and groundbreaking clinical trials. With over 160 active studies, we’re at the forefront of advancing medical knowledge, expanding treatment options, and improving the lives of our patients. Our one-of-a-kind Queen's-Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program is on the leading edge of training the next generation of primary care doctors. Each year, over 3,000 students and trainees are supported by the Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network (LHEARN). Through our innovative collaboration with Ontario Tech University, we’re also harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize patient care. Together with our academic, community, and industry partners, Lakeridge Health is tackling the toughest health challenges and elevating the quality of care for the communities we serve. 

Guided by our vision of One System. Best Health. and supported by a dedicated team of nearly 9,000 staff, physicians, and volunteers, Lakeridge Health is a proud member of the Durham Ontario Health Team (Durham OHT) and works in collaboration with the Durham OHT, as well as primary care, and community and government partners to foster a truly integrated, regional system of care. Together, we are focused on empowering people to live their best health and fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable environment for all. 

For more information about Lakeridge Health, visit www.lh.ca.

About the College

The Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL), a national member-driven non-profit association, is the connected community that develops, supports, and inspires health leaders across Canada. The College strives to provide the leadership development, tools, knowledge and networks that members need to become high impact leaders in Canadian healthcare.

Through LEADS, the CHE designation, credentialing, training, conferences, mentoring and a nationwide careers network, we support health leaders in every sector and region, from every professional background and at any stage of their career.

Located in Ottawa, the College collaborates with 20 chapters across the country and engages with its 4,500 members and 80 corporate members to promote lifelong learning and professional development while recognizing leadership excellence.

For more information about the College, visit: www.cchl-ccls.ca

Media Enquiries

Lakeridge Health
Strategic Communications
[email protected]

Stéphane Joannette
Director, Professional Certifications and Strategic Alliances
CCHL
1-800-363-9056 ext. 239
[email protected]