Governance /
Board

Role of the Board

Trustees play a significant role in the transformation of health care and must demonstrate strong leadership to navigate through the challenges their organizations are confronting. Board service has never been more challenging. The future of health care is still largely unknown, and the range of board responsibilities is broad. Hospitals and health systems need dedicated and knowledgeable individuals who are willing to commit their time, experience, expertise and leadership to the hospital, its mission, and the community.

In these days of economic insecurity, it is particularly important for hospital governing boards to earn and keep the public trust. In the handling of hospital finances, the oversight of hospital quality, patient care and safety, and the assessment of hospital programs and services, governing boards can and must be held accountable to the people of the communities they serve. There can be no room for question of integrity or credibility of board members. Especially now, trust is an asset no board can do without.

Legally, board members must take particular care to become thoroughly informed before making a business decision; they must put the needs of the hospital first when taking responsibility for its operations; and they must abide by laws, regulations, and standards of hospital operations.

At SJGHEL we recognize and appreciate the time that our generous board members volunteer for their roles. The role of a Board of Trustees does not involve managing day to day operations or the hospital’s activities, in fact they are in place to oversee these things. They guide the long-term strategic goals and policies through involvement in strategic planning and decision-making. Our board members are trusted to oversee the financial health and sustainability of St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake and to ensure that resource allocation and funding is done as efficiently as possible to enhance the patient experience.