Deloitte and Touche’s operational review of Ontario’s e-health agency, Smart Systems for Health, was anything but rosy, but the agency’s new CEO, William Albino, seems optimistic about his future.
Albino called the audit report a helpful document and said he was looking forward to a rapid transformation. “I don’t think it’ll take that long to make the Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA) into a model organization – that’s our goal,” says Albino.
SSHA recently appointed Albino following a highly critical review by Deloitte and Touche that cited a long list of challenges and shortcomings facing the health agency.
Albino says he sees the review as a constructive document.
“It’s a good blueprint for how to go forward,” he says. “Deloitte highlighted legitimate areas that need improvement, but it’s important to understand that the organization already had a number of areas they wanted to address.”
He adds that around IT services and operations SSHA needs to get up to the highest standards as fast as they possibly can. “In my mind, SSHA has to be a leading IT services provider.
“Deloitte did a good job of putting the recommendations together in a way that makes it an actionable plan,” says Albino. “Although I have to say it’s a stressful plan, and there’s a whole lot to do…but that’s fine, that’s what we’re here to do.”
Part of that plan includes implementing a change management office, and improving project management and financial management, according to Albino.
The new CEO has more than 20 years’ experience in the information technology and telecom industries, and has served as a board member, senior executive and general manager for companies in Canada and the United States.
Specifically, he has worked for EDS Canada as executive vice-president and senior vice-president, sales. He has also worked for Xerox Corp. in senior management roles in Canada and the U.S. and has run his own consulting company for technology startup companies.
Michael Lauber, who had been acting CEO since January 1, will now resume his position as chair, board of directors.
“We believe Albino is the right person to take SSHA to the next level of providing greater value to our clients,” says Lauber. “We have a clear set of action and improvement items to address.”
Lauber adds that the agency needs someone to lead SSHA to become a best-practice organization focused on meeting its customer needs.
“I know from my previous roles that many opportunities exist to improve the flow of patient information in health care with information technology,” says Albino. “SSHA has a unique role to play by making that information available between organizations and professionals across Ontario. I look forward to contributing to this difficult but exciting goal.”
SSHA announced its search for a new CEO last September after the resignation of Michael Connolly, who led the agency since its inception.
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