Senior Team

Deborah Hammons - CEO

Deborah Hammons is recognized as a leader both locally and provincially in transforming the health care system.  Under her leadership, the LHIN organization is currently implementing its second Integrated Health Service Plan and ensuring that the system is delivering value to its stakeholders by saving 1 million hours of time spent waiting in hospital emergency departments and reducing the impact of vascular disease. 

Her collaborative leadership style has led to the development of a number of LHIN-wide processes including the launch of the first LHIN-led Regional Specialized Geriatrics Services entity, which will focus on services for the frail senior population in the Central East region.  This same approach to delivering value-add, client-focused care is reflected in an impressive number of successful integrations that have taken place in the mental health and community sectors over the past year.  Additionally, she has worked with the leadership from the LHIN’s hospitals to achieve balanced budget positions, which has resulted in close to $200 million in savings being reinvested back into the local health care system.  

As the provincial lead for the Long Term Care Service Accountability Agreements Steering Committee, Ms. Hammons has worked with provincial long-term care associations to develop new accountability templates now in use between LHINs and long-term care homes across the province.   

Ms. Hammons, who began her career in healthcare as a nurse, has held senior positions in healthcare organizations throughout Canada including the Vancouver General Hospital, the Ottawa General Hospital, the Toronto Hospital and the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation.  As Executive Director of Fairhaven, a long term care home in Peterborough, she added to her list of professional accomplishments by overseeing the development of a new $25.5 million facility, leading the organization in achieving their first 3-year CCHSA Accreditation, and implementing an Information Strategic Plan to create a state-of-the-art computerized environment.

Ms. Hammons has served on the board of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors, is a member of the Canadian College of Health Care Leaders and was a surveyor for the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA).

James Meloche – Senior Director, System Design and Implementation

James Meloche provides local and provincial leadership for the design and delivery of accessible, high quality and integrated health care services within the diverse region of the Central East LHIN.  Most recently, James guided the LHIN through its second Integrated Health Service Plan process which sets out the vision and key health care priorities for the region including the achievement of two Strategic Aims focused on saving time that patients spend in local emergency departments and reducing the impact of vascular disease.   James and his team are currently focused on implementing new initiatives that will create an integrated health care experience for Central East LHIN Seniors.   In addition, James is leading the development of tools and processes that can be used to support integration activities that will result in better care and better value-for-money.

Prior to his joining the Central East LHIN in January 2006, James held progressive healthcare management responsibilities, including serving as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Associate Deputy Minister, Health Results Team, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  In this position, James provided important contributions to Ontario’s wait time strategy, primary care, critical care system, accountability and performance management systems, and the establishment of Ontario’s regional healthcare management – LHINs.

James did his undergraduate and graduate studies at Carleton University and the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.  

Paul Barker - Senior Director, System Finance and Performance Management

Paul Barker joined the Central East LHIN after holding the position of Senior Director, Performance Contracts and Allocations for two and a half years at the Central LHIN.  Prior to this, Paul held a number of senior positions with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).

Since joining the Central East LHIN, Paul and his team have worked with local health service providers to successfully negotiate annual Accountability Agreements, documenting performance and volume targets to be achieved in exchange for funding that supports each organization’s operations.    Paul also serves as the LHIN representative on the Ministry Capital Working Group, developing processes that support health care construction and large equipment purchases across the province.

Paul was the Ministry Business Lead for the Long-Term Care Homes Funding Review and Common Assessment where he led a comprehensive review, analysis, and design of a new evidenced-based funding methodology for the long-term care homes program.  As Acting Director, Finance and Information Management Branch he was responsible for the strategic financial management and controllership for over $18.5 billion in ministry programs.  As Manager, Divisional Decision Support he managed the research/collection, analysis and synthesis of information to support divisional strategic operational policy, business planning and decision-making.

In his role of Planning Consultant, he was responsible for producing cabinet submissions including the development of financial models, and acting as liaison with other branches/divisions, Management Board and Cabinet Office.  Other positions held at the MOHLTC were Senior Program Analyst for the Corporate Services Division/Fiscal Strategies Branch, Manager, Information Unit, Senior Policy and Program Consultant and Information Coordinator.

Paul has a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science (Honours) Mathematics and Computer Sciences from the University of Toronto.