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Winston Isaac

Dr. Winston Isaac

Professor Emeritus
DepartmentHealth Services Management
EducationPhD, CHE

Overview

We are deeply saddened to share that Dr. Winston Isaac, previous Director and faculty member, passed away on February 15, 2019.

Dr. Isaac was associated with the School of Health Services Management from 1995 – first as a part-time instructor and later as a faculty member teaching health policy and health human resource management. He was the Director of the School for one 5-year term after completing a one-year interim Directorship. His research foci included health human resource development, specifically in the areas of health care management and men's health issues. He was also a partner in a large CIHR 5-year grant examining health human resources. During his tenure as Director of the School, several student projects were accepted for publication, with one student submission winning a 3M Award.

Dr. Isaac's academic preparation spanned the fields of respiratory technology, education, psychology, business and health policy and administration. Dr. Isaac received his Master's in Education from Central Michigan University, as well as a Master's of Public Administration from Queen's University. He received his Ph.D. in Adult and Continuing Education from Michigan State University. He had contributed to the university by participating on a number of committees and has led the development of the Health Information Management program in the School. Most recently he had sat on the planning committees for a number of Certificate programs in The Chang School for Continuing Education.

Professionally, Dr. Isaac was a Certified Health Executive of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives. He had also served as a reviewer for the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). For the past two years, Dr. Isaac had been the Chair of teams reviewing US undergraduate health administration programs for certification/accreditation with AUPHA. He had also been invited to review undergraduate program applications on a provincial level for the province of British Columbia. He was a frequent presenter at the professional meetings and conferences of the AUPHA and the specialty meetings of the undergraduate programs of AUPHA. He also had presented at annual meetings and conferences of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA).

Dr. Isaac had extensive management experience at various levels within the Ontario Healthcare systems, ranging in areas from acute care to rehabilitation to chronic & complex long term care. He had also worked as a Health Policy Analyst and submits peer reviews for peer reviewed journals in health administration in the areas of Health Management Education. Dr. Isaac had also served on the editorial board of Health Administration Press.

Dr. Isaac received the honour of "Alumnus of Distinction" by the Michener Institute and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Central West Local Health Integration Network (CW LHIN).

Dr. Isaac was an active contributor to the health care sector, founding the non-profit Walnut Foundation (external link, opens in new window)  whose main purpose is to work with the Black Community in identifying the needs of Black Men in the areas of health and related issues; and to provide a forum for discussion in a comfortable, safe and supportive environment.

Dr. Isaac’s hard work, dedication, endless energy, and immense respect for students have helped graduates achieve great things both professionally and academically. Most importantly, through the programs and students, has helped make healthcare better.

Ryerson lost a wise, thoughtful and dedicated teacher, leader, mentor, colleague and friend.

We will never forget his contributions and the legacy he left behind and will continue to honour his legacy through our Annual Winston Isaac Lecture in Healthcare Services.