Vice President Medical Affairs (VPMA)

Join a hospital where everyone makes a difference!  Recognized as a top employer in the Waterloo area and Southern Ontario, accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, recognized by The Beryl Institute for our commitment to patient experience, more than 10 years of incredibly strong financial and quality performance, the most technologically advanced hospital in the region with two new/renovated patient care wing opened and a post-construction operating plan to expand services for Cambridge North Dumfries – that is just part of the Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) story!  

The Vice President, Medical Affairs (VPMA) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) is a leadership role designed to enhance the hospital's operational excellence and patient care outcomes. This summary provides an overview of key aspects of the VPMA role, including its responsibilities and required qualifications.  Find the full Executive Briefing on the role at 

https://www.cmh.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/VPMA%20Executive%20Briefing.pdf

Role Overview 

The VPMA will join the senior leadership team at CMH with a dual focus on both clinical and administrative responsibilities. Approximately three days each week are dedicated to this executive leadership role, while the remaining time is in clinical service at CMH. The VPMA is expected to lead key organizational priorities focused on improving patient access and care quality. 

 Key Responsibilities 

The primary duties of the VPMA include: 

Strategic Leadership: 

• Providing overall direction for medical programs. 

• Ensuring alignment with CMH’s goals through effective medical leadership. 

Clinical Services Management: 

• Updating and implementing the clinical service growth plan. 

• Recruiting medical directors for those programs with vacancies 

• Embedding medical directors within program leadership to ensure alignment with strategic goals. 

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Implementation: 

• Acting as a champion for the successful implementation of a new EMR system. 

• Serving on the project's steering committee for guidance and advocacy. 

• Supporting opportunities in care improvement through advanced technology implementation 

1. Operational Excellence: 

• Monitoring clinical performance metrics and developing action plans where necessary. 

• Participating in budgeting, resource allocation, financial planning, and cost management to ensure efficient use of resources. 

• Collaborating with financial and operational leaders for optimized care delivery. 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Establishing strong relationships with hospital leadership, including the Board, President & CEO, Chief of Staff (COS), Vice President/Clinical Nursing Executive (VP/CNE), and Medical/Professional Staff. 

• Collaborating with the Ontario Health Team, its member organizations, Ontario Health & the Ministry of Health for system integration. 

• Collaborating with the McMaster University Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine, Waterloo Regional Campus 

 Required Qualifications 

The successful candidate must meet the following criteria: 

Educational Background: 

• Licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (or eligible).  

• In good standing with the College. 

• Completion or commitment to complete an accredited program in business, leadership, or health administration. 

Professional Credentials: 

• Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) or equivalent executive certification is strongly preferred. 

• Master’s degree in a healthcare-related discipline is highly desirable. 

Experience and Competencies: 

• Minimum of five years’ leadership experience, ideally with progressively responsible positions. 

• Experience in hospital medical leadership within community hospitals. 

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with physicians and senior management teams. 

• Commitment to continuous professional development. 

Leadership Competencies: 

• Ability to lead self, engage others, achieve results, develop coalitions, and drive system transformation. 

• Passion for CMH’s values of Caring, Collaboration, Accountability, Innovation, and Respect. 

• Straightforward, transparent communication style with a focus on accountability. 

 Key Accountabilities 

The VPMA is responsible for several key accountabilities: 

Clinical Program Direction: 

• Providing overall direction to ensure all medical programs align with organizational goals. 

• Implementing the clinical service growth plan. 

Leadership Team Development: 

• Fostering an effective leadership team and promoting collaboration within the organization. 

• Role modeling CMH’s core values. 

Performance Metrics Monitoring and Improvement: 

• Regularly monitoring clinical performance metrics to identify areas for improvement. 

• Implementing clinical improvements to support improved performance and outcome 

• Ensuring alignment among physicians across the organization to achieve strategic goals. 

1. Financial Management: 

• Participating in budgeting, resource allocation, and financial planning processes. 

• Collaborating with financial leaders to ensure cost-effective delivery of care. 

System Integration: 

• Contributing effectively to system integration efforts within Cambridge North Dumfries Ontario Health Team. 

• Working with other health organizations for coordinated healthcare delivery. 

 Year 1 Success Metrics 

Upon completing the first year in this role, the VPMA will have contributed to several key success metrics: 

• Successful implementation of a new EMR system. 

• Development of a strong team of medical directors through effective recruitment and ongoing development. 

• Enhanced accountability within the organization by establishing clear performance metrics and supporting improvements in care. 

• Contribution to achieving strategic goals related to patient access, quality care, and operational excellence. 

 Conclusion 

The VPMA position at CMH offers an opportunity for an experienced healthcare leader to make significant contributions to community health. By aligning clinical and administrative leadership roles with organizational priorities, the VPMA will play a pivotal role in shaping CMH’s future success. The ideal candidate must embody continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration while upholding CMH’s values of Caring, Collaboration, Accountability, Innovation, and Respect. 

Cambridge Memorial Hospital is seeking an individual who is passionate about making a difference in their community through excellence in healthcare leadership. If you are ready for this challenge and have the drive to make a positive impact, this opportunity is not one to be missed. 

If you are seeking a rewarding leadership opportunity where you can shape a bright future and make a difference, please submit a covering letter and CV, in confidence to: 

Stephanie Fitzgerald, Office of the President & CEO

 Cambridge Memorial Hospital 

700 Coronation Blvd, Cambridge, ON N1R 3G2 

Tel: 519-621-2333 extension 2350 

Fax: 519-740-4907 

Email c/o: sfitzgerald@cmh.org