The PMO Team is Growing!
22-4-2024
In preparation for the next planning stage, which will include indicative design, contract preparation and tendering for a final design-builder, the PMO is growing. We are excited to welcome the following new team members who will begin work on the project this month and bring a wealth of experience and specialty skills to the project.
RITA DESAI - Operational Readiness Director
Rita Desai is an experienced healthcare planner who recently led the Operational Readiness efforts at Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital through the organization's move into a new 22-storey education, training and administrative tower (Project Horizon, Phase One). Before that, she worked on similar projects at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Sinai Health.
Rita's nearly two decade career as a healthcare leader in Ontario hospitals also includes project management in numerous areas including Information Technology, Quality and Safety, Integrated Care Pathways, Hospital Accreditation, etc.
As Operational Readiness Director for this project, she will work with hospital staff and project delivery partners to ensure Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) is operationally prepared and supported throughout the transition into a new facility and ensure consistent, high standards of evidence-based care are embedded into the planning and design of the new hospital build and Ouellette Redevelopment.
Rita says it is unique for a project to start operational readiness planning so early in the process and doing so will ensure the final design reflects the hospital's desired best practice processes and prevent unnecessary, costly and timely changes and delays down the road. "I am looking forward to supporting hospital staff on this journey and really connecting with team members to achieve their goals and make a difference for patients at the new hospital," she said.
MIKE COOMBS - Director of Project Delivery
Mike Coombs is a civil and structural engineer, a University of Windsor graduate, and an experienced industry leader who most recently held the position of Construction Manager with EllisDon. Mike's experience includes several transformative projects within the region, including the Windsor-Essex Parkway Project, the University of Windsor School of Creative Arts (the Armouries), the University of Windsor Law building, the new Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre and the Devonshire Mall Renovation Project. His experience in healthcare includes a leadership position on the St. Thomas Elgin redevelopment project.
As Director of Project Delivery, Mike will ensure the physical infrastructure and building systems are built and commissioned in compliance with project documents in a safe, efficient and effective manner and oversee the development of procurement documents for all construction contracts as well as the planning and design of the New Windsor/ Essex Acute Care Hospital Project and Ouellette Site Redevelopment.
On a professional level, he is looking forward to working on a cutting-edge, post-COVID hospital facility and incorporating lessons learned from the pandemic into a modern and safe facility that will set a new standard for future builds.
Born and raised in the Windsor-Essex region, Mike says on a personal level, he is looking forward to being part of this long-awaited and desperately needed project in his hometown.