Top executives resign in ongoing London Health Sciences Centre shakeup

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By: Jennifer Bieman

LONDON, ONT. — London Health Sciences Centre is losing two key members of its leadership team, including the head of Children’s Hospital, the latest change in the top ranks of the hospital put under provincial supervision just weeks ago.

Nash Syed, the vice-president of Children’s Hospital and women’s services at LHSC, has tendered his resignation effective Jan. 3, 2025, an internal email to staff from LHSC’s provincially appointed supervisor David Musyj said.

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Dr. Alex Barron, the head of LHSC’s medical advisory committee — a critical group that oversees medical care at LHSC, including the granting of hospital privileges to doctors — has also resigned from the organization.

Barron also served as LHSC’s director of quality medical care.

“Dr. Barron loves LHSC and has been passionate about advancing care, teaching and research within and beyond our walls,” Musyj’s email to staff stated, adding he accepted both resignations “with mixed feelings.”

Dr. David Steven, who is the head of the clinical neurological services department at LHSC, has been named the interim chair of LHSC’s medical advisory committee, the hospital said in a statement.

Syed was leaving his role to be closer to his family, Friday’s internal email to LHSC staff said, and recruitment for the vacant vice-president role will “commence immediately.”

“Plans are underway to support a smooth and successful transition,” Musyj’s memo to staff stated. “I would like to thank Nash for his commitment and dedication to LHSC.”

Announcing his departure on social media Friday, Barron expressed gratitude to his LHSC colleagues for the “kindness and support.”

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“It has been a true privilege to be the Chief of Staff of such an incredible organization that helps so many people — and changes so many lives,” Barron said in a Friday post on LinkedIn.

As the chairperson of the medical advisory committee, Barron served as an ex-officio member of LHSC’s board of directors, which resigned last month when the Ontario government put the hospital under the control of Musyj, an appointed supervisor.

Barron, a pediatrician by training, arrived at LHSC in March 2023 after four years in leadership roles with Ontario Health, a provincial agency that coordinates and oversees health care delivery.

Both Syed and Barron, a Western University medical school graduate, were appointed to their leadership roles under former LHSC president and CEO Jackie Schleifer Taylor.

The two top-level departures come at a time when LHSC is undergoing significant organizational changes under Musyj, who was appointed as supervisor of the hospital by Ontario’s Ministry of Health Sept. 25 over LHSC’s “concerning financial performance.”

Musyj’s term can last up to 18 months. A final report of his findings will be released publicly.

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In early September, under Musyj’s leadership, LHSC terminated 59 managers and demoted 71 others with pay cuts as part of its strategy to fix its $150-million deficit. Further restructuring is possible, Musyj said at the time.

LHSC has struck an advisory committee of community members to provide direct feedback on the hospital’s next steps. The hospital has a scheduled meeting on Oct. 23 to provide the community with updates on LHSC’s strategy.

 Musyj replaced Schleifer Taylor, who had been chief executive since 2021, in May. The hospital announced in June that Schleifer Taylor, who went on a medical leave of absence in November 2023, was no longer employed at LHSC.

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