Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Board of Directors
Frank Bagatto
Frank Bagatto was born in North Eastern Italy and moved to Windsor with his family in 1950. He attended Assumption High, received a Bachelor Degree from the School of Commerce and Finance at the University of Detroit and his Master’s Degree in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa.
Frank has a long list of accomplishments. As President and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare from 1990-2003, his experience within the evolving and demanding healthcare sector has made him a continuing asset to the current HDGH Board of Directors. Frank’s leadership to such events, such as completing the successful merger of Hôtel-Dieu and Salvations Army Grace Hospitals provides him with the foundational experience to bring historical insight into organization decisions and frameworks.
Frank’s list of leadership involvement in Ontario’s Healthcare sector spans over 45 successful years. Among holding high-ranking positions in Windsor-Essex such as the founding CEO of the Essex County District Health Council in 1976, the precursor organization of the LHIN, it also includes positions in Southwestern Ontario such as Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sarnia (1979-1990) and Assistant Executive Director at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill Ontario (1968-1974).
In 2003 he was interim CEO of the Hôtel-Dieu Shaver Hospital in St. Catharines where he facilitated the merger of the Hôtel-Dieu and Shaver Hospitals. He also served as a director of the Ontario Hospital Association, the Trillium Gift of Life, and Chair of the Board of the Catholic Health Association of Ontario. He also provided leadership at the national level, serving as surveyor for the Canadian Council of Health Services accreditation for over 15 years and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Health Association of Canada.
Retiring in 2002, Frank certainly did not stop with his involvement in healthcare serving as board member and Vice-President of Planning with Catholic Health International, an organization that owns and sponsors over 25 health care facilities including HDGH.
His post-retirement board of director involvements also included such integral community organizations such as Community Care Access Centre and The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.
Frank is also a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor and the Fogolar Furlan Club. In 1999, the Caboto Club awarded him with the Italian of the Year.
Married to Gail since 1967, a graduate of the Hôtel-Dieu School of Nursing, they have two children and three grandchildren.
Meet the Board
HDGH: What motivated you to join HDGH’s Board of Directors?
FB: My association with the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph and Hotel Dieu began in the mid 1960’s when I worked as an orderly every weekend and for four summers. It was with the support of Hotel Dieu and encouragement of the sisters that I pursued my career in health care administration. Also at this time, I met a certain newly graduated nurse from the class of ’64 while she was working in the emergency department. So I owe so much to HDGH.
When I was given the opportunity to be part of continuing the legacy of the RHSJ by serving as the Catholic Health International appointee on the board of directors, I saw it as a privilege to serve and give back to our community, in pursuing our mission of service especially to the poor and marginalized.
HDGH: What do you believe are the most prominent health needs in our community?
FB: Having worked many years in health care in our community, we continue to be underserviced in mental health supports for children, youth and their families, especially in the areas of addiction. This need has not abated.
Also most important are services for the frail elderly especially those that are isolated. More long -term care, services in the home and housing are critical needs. More support is needed for aging persons to help them remain independent thus improving quality of life but also preventing unnecessary utilization of health facilities.
HDGH: As a member of the Board, how does the board ensure a healthy, equitable community?
FB: As an organization we have a part in supporting a healthy and equitable community in cooperation with a many others. Hence, we are committed to developing trusted relationships with other organizations.
As a board, we need to further understand our community, its diversity and the social economic characteristics. In addition, we need to understand barriers to a healthy community, and leverage our skills and resources in partnership with others, thus improving access to care for everyone.