On behalf of Janice Skot, RVH President & CEO
As a valued partner, I want to advise you of an upcoming change to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s Executive Leadership Team.
After more than 40 years on the front lines of communication, government relations and journalism, Suzanne Legue, Vice President Strategy, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, has announced her retirement, effective September 23, 2022.
Suzanne came to RVH in 1996 after a career as an award-winning journalist at CTV Barrie. She was quickly recognized as “the voice” of RVH through radio public service announcements and newspaper columns and earned a reputation as a well-respected and progressive communications expert.
She’s known to often ask “Why should people care about this?” and “What’s the impact on people?” when discussing data or decisions. She encouraged colleagues to communicate, not just information, but with context, meaning and relevance. She strove to always bring the patient’s voice and the community’s perspective to the discussion. She is a storyteller extraordinaire and put much value on listening to our patients and sharing their stories.
Her innovative work, and that of her team, has been recognized nationally and internationally with more than a dozen awards for its creativity and strategic focus. Suzanne is also a recipient of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for her contribution to her community.
In 2011 Suzanne led the re-branding of RVH, including a new name and visual identity, followed by an award-winning communication and engagement strategy to support the health centre’s MY CARE strategy, bringing our strategy to life. She has continued to lead development of our strategic plan.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Suzanne and her colleagues built strong relationships with elected representatives and political staff, and lobbied at the highest level of government which contributed to approval of our 2012 expansion, advanced cardiac, child & youth mental health and renal program, and most recently, a planning grant and Minister’s Zoning Order approval for our South Campus.
As both a leader and team player, Suzanne is well-known at RVH for her comprehensive, strategic approach to issues management. From SARS to COVID; tornados to technology failures, Suzanne proactively coordinated an RVH response to every key initiative, plan, announcement or challenge.
While Suzanne’s retirement – and institutional memory – is a great loss to RVH, and particularly for her skilled teams in Corporate Communications, Organizational Development, Volunteer Resources, Governance and Project Change Management, I know they will continue to strive for excellence and advance RVH’s vision.
On a personal note, Suzanne has been by my side since I joined TEAM RVH in 2004. I have relied on her to give me sound advice and she’s never let me down. I leaned on her communication expertise and that trust has proven invaluable.
To quote Suzanne, “It has been thrilling and fulfilling to be part of RVH’s evolution from a community hospital in downtown Barrie, to a large regional centre of excellence. It’s been such a privilege to lead in an organization I care so deeply about and work with such an inspiring, skilled team of people, many of whom have become lifelong friends.”
Please join me in thanking Suzanne for her invaluable contributions and wishing her, and her husband Shaun, all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives. Suzanne is looking forward to devoting time to her family and creative pursuits, such as writing and photography, while finding new ways to serve her community and catching up on travel that was suspended during the pandemic.
Although Suzanne won’t be leaving RVH until September, a transition plan is under way and those details will be communicated soon.
As partners, many of you have worked closely with Suzanne on a wide variety of healthcare and community projects and I know you join me in thanking her for legacy and impact on the region. We wish her all the best as she plans for her retirement and this exciting new chapter in her life. If you would like to share your best wishes with Suzanne, she can be reached at legues@rvh.on.ca.
Respectfully,
Janice
