Jim Whaley, Chair
Jim is a seasoned health care executive and health systems planner with recognized expertise in the planning, organization and delivery of rural health services. His health care consulting practice is focused on strategic planning, board development and the facilitation of strategic partnerships between health care organizations. Clients include hospitals, family health teams, community health agencies and the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). In 2009, he served as special advisor to the provincial government’s Rural and Northern Healthcare Panel. More recently, Jim prepared a policy paper for the Ontario Hospital Association on ‘Local Health Hubs for Rural and Northern Communities’. Prior to his consulting career, Jim worked for 20 years in Ontario’s District Health Council (DHC) system and was the Executive Director of both the Grey Bruce Huron Perth and Wellington-Dufferin DHCs. Jim holds a Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo in Regional Planning and is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. In terms of other volunteer connections, Jim is the past Chair of the Rural Ontario Institute and The Ontario Rural Council.