Sault Area Hospital welcomes new chief of staff with local roots

Sault Area Hospital (SAH) has announced the appointment of a new chief of staff.

Dr. John Heintzman is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, bringing with him more than 19 years of medical leadership experience.

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Heintzman received his medical degree from Queen’s University and completed his residency and fellowship at Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina. 

He worked as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Deerfield Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania before moving to Kitchener/Waterloo, where he was chief of psychiatry and medical director of the Mental Health and Addictions Program at Grand River Hospital for the last 19 years. 

He also served as deputy chief of staff at Grand River Hospital and consulting psychiatrist for the University of Waterloo Student Health Services, in addition to being an assistant clinic professor for the Department of Psychiatry at McMaster University Medical Centre and the author of many child and adolescent psychiatry publications. 

SAH’s chair of the board of directors says they are excited for Dr. Heintzman’s return to the Sault.

“As a respected medical leader, Dr. Heintzman’s invaluable combination of clinical expertise and experience in healthcare leadership and administration is an incredible benefit for SAH,” Lisa Bell-Murray said in a news release. 

“During this challenging time in health care, Dr. Heintzman’s leadership will be instrumental in delivering outstanding care and outcomes for our community.” 

In this role, Heintzman will be tasked with building relationships with the medical staff, community and health system partners to deliver excellence in patient care. 

He also intends to practise as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at SAH. 

Dr. Heintzman called the appointment an honour, adding he looks forward to collaborating with the physician and leadership teams to improve the quality of care and access to services for the community. 

“As a physician, I have the ability to positively influence the lives of my patients and their families,” he stated.

“As SAH’s chief of staff, the effect is further magnified as I will have the ability to guide, develop, and nurture leaders and clinicians across many programs and services, allowing me to contribute to healthcare for all the communities Sault Area Hospital serves.”

In the news release, the board of directors also thanked Dr. Mohammad Rassouli-Rashti for serving as interim chief of staff. 

Dr. Heintzman begins his four-year term on January 2.