CHEO President, CEO stepping down after 13 years

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) President and CEO, Alex Munter, will be stepping down from the position this October.

Munter has been the head of the hospital for 13 years, a press release announcing his departure reads. He will head the administration of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and its group of subsidiaries.

Munter said he is “excited” to be working with some of Canada’s top medical professionals, but he is leaving CHEO with “mixed emotions.”

“I have been part of Team CHEO longer than I have ever worked in any organization in my life. Being here has changed me as a person, helped me develop skills I never knew I had and inspired me in ways I will never, ever forget,” Munter said.

Jo-Anne Porier, Chair of CHEO Board of Directors, said Munter is the longest serving children’s hospital CEO in the country and the longest serving in Ottawa, making his departure a shift in the top leadership within the hospital.

Over his time at CHEO, Munter over saw the hospital through many innovations and difficult moments. When he joined in 2011 the annual operating budget was just under $200 million, this year the hospital will exceed $500 million.

As, he begins to pass off responsibilities, Munter said that it is not goodbye yet.

“I’ll be here until October. So there’ll be plenty of time to say ‘au revoir.’ And there’s still lots to do – so let’s all get back to work,” he said.