In many ways, the growth and development of Mount Sinai Hospital and its President and CEO have paralleled one another.

The organization and its leader have both seen major positive growth over their years together. Over the past three decades, Mount Sinai has transformed into one of Canada’s pre-eminent academic health sciences centres. And Joseph Mapa, the man currently leading it, has been on board for the majority of this growth, moving from an administrative resident during his graduate school days to the top job, which he assumed on January 1, 2001.

“Leading an organization like Mount Sinai is not only a privilege and an opportunity, it’s also a professional and intellectual challenge,” says Mapa. “It’s a very exciting time to be in health care. I hope I can address change with a convergence of experience, education, credentials and a constant desire to be the best.

“Mount Sinai has a reputation for top-quality care, leading-edge research and progressive teaching because the people here — our Bright Minds and Big Hearts — strive for excellence in everything they do.”

Mapa joined the Hospital in 1977 and is a graduate of the Department of Health Administration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. He also holds an MBA from the Joseph I. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and has achieved Fellowships in both the Canadian College of Health Service Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

A strong proponent of the special role of a teaching hospital, Mapa has co-authored three books on health care and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Administration, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

“As an academic health sciences centre, we want to clearly demonstrate that we are world-class, applying innovative technology, research findings and best practices in our areas of strength,” says Mapa. “We have to be competitive, retain and attract the best people, and exploit our tremendous scientific and clinical assets. We want to serve our community in the best possible way.”

Also in keeping with the mandate of a teaching hospital, Mapa is a strong advocate of mentorship at all levels of the organization — from the Board to clinical staff, administrative people, scientists and volunteers.

“Are we ensuring proper succession and are we mentoring our leadership team to perform at the highest level? Can we close the gap between science and clinical care for the betterment of patient care? Is our perspective forward-looking and open to change? As CEO, these are the questions I have to ask myself to make a difference
in the future of the organization,” says Mapa.

An award-winning executive, Mapa currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Hospital Association, a Governor of the University of Toronto and is Chair of the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario.

Mapa says one of the best parts about his job is watching the commitment to excellence and care passed on from generation to generation.

“We’re helping to create the talent pool for the future of Canadian health care,” he says.