Sault Area Hospital Welcomes New Chief of Staff
November 27, 2023 – Sault Area Hospital’s (SAH) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. John Heintzman, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, as SAH’s new Chief of Staff. Dr. Heintzman brings more than 19 years of medical leadership experience to the organization.
Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Heintzman will be returning to his roots in Northern Ontario. “We are pleased to announce Dr. Heintzman’s return to the community to serve as SAH’s Chief of Staff. As a respected medical leader, Dr. Heintzman’s invaluable combination of clinical expertise and experience in healthcare leadership and administration is an incredible benefit for SAH,” said Lisa Bell-Murray, Chair, Board of Directors, SAH. “During this challenging time in health care, Dr. Heintzman’s leadership will be instrumental in delivering outstanding care and outcomes for our community.”
In this role, Dr. Heintzman will build relationships with the medical staff, community and health system partners to deliver excellence in patient care.
“It is an honour to be appointed Chief of Staff at SAH, and I look forward to collaborating with the physician and leadership teams to improve the quality of care and access to services for the community. As a physician, I have the ability to positively influence the lives of my patients and their families. As SAH’s Chief of
Staff, the effect is further magnified as I will have the ability to guide, develop, and nurture leaders and clinicians across many programs and services, allowing me to contribute to healthcare for all the communities Sault Area Hospital serves,” said Dr. John Heintzman.
Dr. John Heintzman received his medical degree from Queen’s University and completed his residency and fellowship at Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina. Upon completing his training, he worked as a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at Deerfield Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania before moving to Kitchener/Waterloo.
Dr. Heintzman is a Child Psychiatrist who has served as Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Mental Health and Addictions Program at Grand River Hospital in Waterloo for the last 19 years. Dr. Heintzman has also served as Deputy Chief of Staff at Grand River Hospital and Consulting Psychiatrist for the University of Waterloo Student Health Services. He is also an Assistant Clinic Professor for the Department of Psychiatry at McMaster University Medical Centre and the author of many child and adolescent psychiatry publications.
Dr. Heintzman intends to practise as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at SAH.
The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere thanks to Dr. Mohammad Rassouli-Rashti for serving as Interim Chief of Staff. Dr. Rassouli has served our hospital well and will continue to serve us during the transition period and ongoing in the Algoma District Cancer Program.
Dr. John Heintzman is completing his credentialing process at SAH. Dr. Heintzman begins his four-year term as Chief of Staff on January 2, 2024.