A crowd gathered at CONNECT Hamilton on Tuesday to enjoy some food and conversation, as well as recognize three individuals who helped CONNECT Hamilton become a reality.
Patti Flaherty, President and COO of CONNECT, and John Sherwood, CEO, acknowledged and thanked Donna Cripps, former CEO of the Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, Brant (HNHB) Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), Rosalind Tarrant, VP Health System Strategy and Integration with the HNHB LHIN and Teresa Smith, VP Adult Regional Care and Executive Site Lead of Hamilton General Hospital.
Donna, who unfortunately couldn’t attend the event, Rosalind and Teresa were described by John and Patti as the Visionary, the Strategist and the Partner, respectively.
Patti described the three women as amazing health leaders who are building great community in the city.
“I feel so privileged to have worked on this project with you and we would not be here without you,” said Patti. “You represent the fundamental and foundational relationships that set the tone for CONNECT to attract a very strong group of people who will support making lives better.”
“It takes people with real vision and bravery and unbelievable persistence to get something like this done,” John said. “Health care is very bureaucratic and political and it’s far easier to not do this. But, thankfully, we had someone with the vision, someone who is strategic and someone to be the face of the partnership. So, thank you.”
They went on to thank the employees who have chosen to join CONNECT Hamilton on its journey and who believe in the Life Redesign Model. They also thanked the people CONNECT supports in Hamilton who have decided to move in and give CONNECT a chance to help them redesign their lives.
The soft launch ended with a tour of CONNECT, including the second floor, which will officially be open this month for full occupancy.
