May 11, 2007

New CEO for Baycrest

Toronto, ONT – Baycrest announced today that it has chosen a new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. William E. Reichman will join one of the world’s premier academic health sciences centres focused on aging, brain functioning and mental health on July 1, 2007. An internationally-known expert in geriatric mental health and dementia, Dr. Reichman brings with him an outstanding clinical, academic and executive leadership background from the U.S.

He is currently Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, where he also serves as Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and President of the Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Group. A noted authority on the delivery of mental healthcare in nursing home settings, he has lectured extensively at major meetings in the U.S., Europe and Asia. His academic activities have focused on the pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and the associated negative symptoms and apathy in this disorder.

“I feel remarkably privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead Baycrest, a vital asset of the community, Canada and the world,” says Dr. Reichman. “The level of pride and ambition that characterizes the Baycrest organization today will continue to grow as our innovative client and family-centered contributions to clinical care, brain research and education enhance the quality of life of older citizens the world over.”

“Dr. Reichman brings to Baycrest strengths which are well aligned with our vision of transforming aging through care, research, education, and a special focus on brain functioning,” says Fran Sonshine, Chair of Baycrest’s Board of Directors and a member of the selection committee. “He understands the importance of research and education as driving forces behind improved treatments and possible preventions for older adults living with complex and multiple chronic conditions. These commonly include heart disease, diabetes, vascular dementia from stroke, Alzheimer’s and mood disorders such as depression.”

Dr. Reichman takes over from Stephen W. Herbert who steps down as President and CEO of Baycrest after 17 years at the helm. Mr. Herbert laid the groundwork for Baycrest to become the internationally-recognized leader in the care of older adults, particularly in the areas of brain functioning and mental health.

Dr. Reichman’s stellar credentials include: Past-President of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, an international body with American and Canadian members; current consultant to the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice on dementia and mental healthcare delivery within nursing homes; and extensively published writer, including author of several chapters to the major textbooks on dementia care. Dr. Reichman also maintains a dementia-focused specialty practice, which he hopes to continue at Baycrest.

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Since its founding in 1918, Baycrest has evolved into an internationally-renowned academic health sciences centre, advancing the care of older adults through the power of research and education, with a focus on brain functioning and mental health. Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute is one of the world’s top neuroscience facilities for studying changes in brain function that occur as a result of dementia, normal aging, stroke, brain injury and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Baycrest is part of the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network, a dynamic network of academic health sciences centres, affiliated with the University of Toronto, providing leading edge research, teaching and clinical care.

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For more information on this press release, please contact:
Kelly Connelly, Senior Media Officer
Baycrest
416.785.2432, kconnelly@baycrest.org