Guelph General Hospital
Karen Suk-Patrick has extensive work experience in the healthcare industry, primarily at Guelph General Hospital. Karen started their career at Family Service Thames Valley as a Clinical Social Worker, where they provided individual, group, and family counseling. During their time there, they played a lead role in implementing service delivery changes that resulted in reduced waiting lists for service. Karen then moved on to Family Counselling and Support Services of Guelph and Wellington as a Clinical Social Worker/Project Co-ordinator, where they developed and implemented new services for the community-based counseling agency.
In 2001, Karen joined Guelph General Hospital as a Project Lead/Educational Specialist, where they implemented a new program for expanding services for victims of domestic violence. Karen also facilitated team development and provided coaching and support to employees. After that, they became the Director of Organizational Development at the hospital, where they supported organizational change and development, implemented a hospital-wide non-violence crisis intervention training program, and worked on various initiatives such as service excellence and respectful workplace policy development.
In 2017, Karen was promoted to the role of Director of Human Resources, Organizational Development & Employee Health Services at Guelph General Hospital. In this position, they continued to provide strategic leadership and support for the hospital's HR functions. In 2020, they were further promoted to Vice President, People, Culture & Community, taking on additional responsibilities such as leading the Guelph-Wellington Ontario Health Team.
Overall, Karen Suk-Patrick has demonstrated a strong background in organizational development, project management, and leadership within the healthcare sector.
Karen Suk-Patrick received their Bachelor of Social Work degree from Western University, where they studied from 1985 to 1990. Karen then pursued higher education and earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Calgary, from 1990 to 1992. Additionally, they have obtained certifications as a Basic Yoga Instructor from Pranalife Yoga and as a Crucial Conversations Certified Trainer from VitalSmarts.
Guelph General Hospital
When the doors to Guelph General Hospital were opened on August 16, 1875, the hospital had 12 beds, a small infectious room, and a dispensary. A superintendent and two nurses provided care, as well as working in the kitchen, housekeeping, switchboard, and laundry. Today, Guelph General Hospital is a dynamic, comprehensive acute care facility providing a full range of services to the residents of Guelph and Wellington County. Services include 24-hour emergency coverage, advanced technology and diagnostic support, and specialty programs such as being the regional provider for general vascular surgery and a designated Provincial Centre of Excellence for bariatric surgery.