peopleCare Chairman & CEO re-elected OLTCA Board Chair

We’re pleased to share that peopleCare Chairman and CEO Brent Gingerich was re-elected Board Chair of the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA) for 2021 – 2022 at their Annual General Meeting on May 31, 2021. This appointment brings great opportunity for continued collaboration to improve resident care and quality of life, support staff and families, and fulfill the long-term care sector’s potential as an integrated, vital health system partner.

Please see the full message from Brent Gingerich to members below, first published within the OLTCA newsletter:

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June 1, 2021

I would like to thank the members of the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA) for their trust and confidence in electing me as chair of the board of directors for a second term. It was my privilege to serve for the 2020-2021 term, working alongside a dedicated group of fellow board and committee members who have given their all to guide the Association and support their colleagues through an unprecedented time.

My sincere thanks and appreciation to OLTCA’s CEO Donna Duncan and her team for their leadership, and efforts to bring together strategy, engagement and data to respond to the pandemic and build momentum for future positive change. We also cannot look back on 2020 without recognizing the unwavering commitment of LTC’s frontline, whose courage and resilience during these trying times has been phenomenal.

In the past year, we have made significant progress in strengthening our relationship with the Ministry, and appreciate they are listening to the sector, removing barriers and working with us towards solutions that are resident-focused and respectful of our strengths and challenges. We also appreciate the historic investments the government has made to help operators manage the pandemic and with a view to modernizing LTC.

As we look ahead, there is much more to be done. The next three years will inevitably be a critical time of continuing change and opportunity as we experience both a federal and provincial election, and as governments look to make decisions around national standards, quality, and capital redevelopment – just to name a few issues. The LTC sector must keep striving to have a positive voice in these decisions, and work with government to foster a culture and environment of high performance, which includes ensuring all LTC operators have the resources, staffing and supports they need to provide exceptional care and services.

Our sector also has the opportunity to leverage the health system collaboration that accelerated in the pandemic to address our most urgent priorities, including innovating care and services, creating new pathways to employment in healthcare, and building and redeveloping LTC homes.

One thing the pandemic has clearly demonstrated is that our diverse sector knows how to come together when times are tough. Reflecting on the newly elected board and committee members and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, I could not be more honoured to serve as chair.

On behalf of the OLTCA board and team, I look forward working with each of you to improve resident care and quality of life, support our staff and families, and fulfill the LTC sector’s potential as an integrated and vital part of the health system.

Brent Gingerich

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Printable version available here.