Paul Chatelain has had a rewarding career as a health leader from his various healthcare experiences throughout Ontario. Paul has been the Chief Executive Officer and LTC Administrator of the MICs Group of Health Services, since August 2014. Working with community health leaders, he promotes the profile of three hospitals and three long-term care homes.
After earning a diploma in Accounting at Algonquin College, Paul entered the healthcare field as a Financial Analyst at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Paul explains that at a young age, he spent twelve years working in the Finance Department, while also working towards obtaining a Certified Professional Accounting designation. “I really enjoyed working in the hospital setting, budget planning for new services and programs, etc. I then left the Ottawa Civic Hospital to the Canadian Institute of Health Information to pursue a career in health data at the national level.” Paul moved on to work as a Senior Data Base Analyst, working with the National Management Information System (MIS), where he travelled the country conducting education. He explained that while he enjoyed his time at CIHI, he missed working in a hospital setting. “My parents were both front-line healthcare workers. Like them, I am a people person and enjoy helping others.” After completing his Certified Professional Accounting designation, Paul accepted the senior management role of Vice President of Financial and Corporate Services at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital (RVH).
Paul described his experience at RVH as very rewarding. “I was learning all facets of the Hospital at both the operational and strategic level. As part of the Senior Team, I was very involved with the Board of Directors, Medical Staff, Ministry and Government relations.”
During his time working with the leadership team, he felt motivated to pursue a higher education. Paul completed a Master of Health Administration at the University of Ottawa, as well as his Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE) designation with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. With his academic preparation, Paul decided the next step in his career was to become a Hospital Chief Executive Officer. “While competition was fierce, I needed the experience to become a Hospital CEO. I realized that in order to move up, I had to move up”. In 2011, Paul was off to Red Lake, Ontario where he accepted his first role as President and CEO of the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Hospital. After three years of valuable experience, Paul took on his next CEO role with the MICs Group of Health Services and continues to work in this position today. “This opportunity was in line with my career path as I am now the CEO and Long Term Care Administrator for 3 small hospitals and 3 Long Term Care Homes for 10 years now.”
Paul is part of the CCHL NEON Lights Chapter and was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his contributions and involvement with the Chapter. After accepting his position on the MICs Group of Health Services in North Eastern Ontario, Paul explained that the NEON Lights Chapter was recruiting new members. “I wanted to get involved and promote the Chapter and College. I was new to the area and joining the Chapter was a great way to meet and engage with new people.” Paul has been with the NEON Lights Executive committee as Secretary/Treasurer and chair of the Recruitment and Membership committee since 2016 and has been actively involved with the College since receiving his CHE designation in 2008. “The Canadian College of Health Leaders is a unique association that provides endless opportunities that are current and recognized nationally.”
