Episode #21 - Altaf Stationwala

In this episode, host Helen Angus, CEO of AMS Healthcare, speaks with Altaf Stationwala. Altaf Stationwala is President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto, one of Ontario's largest and most comprehensive health care networks. The network includes St. Joseph's Health Centre, St. Michael's Hospital and Providence Healthcare, and a constellation of clinics across Toronto's core. Unity Health delivers the full spectrum of care offered across Ontario's health system— from primary care, seniors care, rehabilitation, and acute services to specialized regional programs and long-term care— and is a globally recognized, university-affiliated teaching and research institution. It is a learning destination of choice for health professionals, known for its leadership in integrated, compassionate, high quality, and collaborative care. Prior to joining Unity Health Toronto in 2025, Altaf was President and CEO of Mackenzie Health for more than 14 years. Under his leadership, Mackenzie Health received Accreditation with Exemplary Standing consecutively in 2013, 2017 and 2022 – the highest rating a Canadian healthcare provider can achieve – and numerous awards for its commitment to safety and quality patient care, as well as approval to build the organization's second hospital – Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital which opened in early 2021. Before joining Mackenzie Health, Altaf held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Mount Sinai Hospital, and previous to that he was Site Executive - Brampton Civic Hospital and Vice President, Patient Services at the William Osler Health Centre. Altaf was presented with the Canadian College of Health Service Executives Canada's Outstanding Young Health Executive of the Year Award in 2007 for his demonstrated leadership in improving the effectiveness and sustainability of the country's health system. He has a diverse educational background with undergraduate degrees in Economics, Geography and Business Administration, as well as a Master's in Health Administration. Altaf is adjunct faculty at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and a surveyor with Accreditation Canada. Altaf serves as a member of several Boards of Governors including: GS1 Canada, Mohawk Medbuy Corporation, and The United Way of Greater Toronto. Altaf is the past Chair of the Ontario Hospital Association.  Altaf has a particular applied research interest in organizational resilience and transformational change. http://amshealthcare.ca/