Announcing Mary-Agnes Wilson as Mackenzie Health’s Interim President and CEO
In late March, we shared that after 14 years of dedicated service as our President and CEO, Altaf Stationwala will be moving to an exciting new opportunity as President and CEO of Unity Health beginning July 1. (Scroll below for the full announcement).
Today, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Mary-Agnes Wilson as our interim President and CEO. Mary-Agnes brings a wealth of experience to this role, with a distinguished career in health care that spans clinical nursing, management, research, and academic and executive leadership positions. Over the past seven years at Mackenzie Health, she has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Executive, gaining a deep understanding of our operations and strategic priorities. During her time at Mackenzie Health, Mary-Agnes has been pivotal in opening Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, launching innovative programs such as the Long Stay Unit, and driving improvements in patient safety, clinical education and operational efficiency. Her leadership has helped expand access to emergency, medical, surgical, mental health, specialized and community care services.
Mary-Agnes will provide the leadership and stability necessary to guide us through this important time. We look forward to the continued success of our organization under her leadership as we prepare for a smooth transition to the next phase of growth. Plans are underway to advance recruitment for the permanent position.
As we prepare for this leadership change, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to Altaf for his years of exceptional leadership. His dedication and contributions have been invaluable to the success of our organization, and we will be celebrating his many accomplishments in the months ahead.
A message from Mackenzie Health Board Chair Stephanie Zee as shared on March 28, 2025
To the Mackenzie Health community:
We want to share an important leadership update with you. After more than 14 years of visionary leadership, our President and CEO, Altaf Stationwala, will be moving to an exciting new opportunity as the President and CEO at Unity Health. His last day at Mackenzie Health will be June 27.
Throughout his tenure, Altaf’s leadership has played a transformative role in shaping Mackenzie Health into the forward thinking and leading regional health care provider it is today. Under his leadership, we have achieved remarkable milestones, including:
- Transforming York Central Hospital into Mackenzie Health, solidifying our role as a major regional health care provider.
- Elevating the hospital’s reputation for care excellence by fostering strong connections with front-line staff.
- Positioning Mackenzie Health as a leader in digital transformation, with multiple first-in-Canada innovations, including the award-winning Epic electronic medical record implementation.
- Expanding our acute care footprint with the opening of Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Ontario’s first net-new hospital in decades, delivered on time and on budget. During the pandemic, it played a critical role as Canada’s only dedicated COVID-19 response hospital.
- Ensuring financial stability and a strong foundation for future growth.
- Embedding a culture of safety and quality, prioritizing patient and staff well-being.
- Laying the groundwork for Mackenzie Health’s future as a teaching and research institution, in partnership with York University’s new School of Medicine.
Altaf’s leadership and influence has touched every aspect of our organization, leaving a legacy that will shape the future of Mackenzie Health for generations to come.
While leadership transitions naturally bring change, we remain fully committed to advancing our operational and strategic priorities. Mackenzie Health is led by a highly skilled and experienced leadership team, supported by our dedicated staff, physicians and volunteers. Their expertise, dedication, and strong track record ensure that we will continue to deliver the exceptional care and patient experience our community expects and deserves and continue our strategic evolution.
The Board of Directors is finalizing a transition plan, and updates on interim leadership will be provided in the coming weeks. There will be a dedicated transition period to ensure stability and continuity before Altaf officially assumes his new role. A comprehensive search for a permanent President and CEO will follow.
In the meantime, we invite you to join us in celebrating Altaf’s contributions and many years of service. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Altaf for his remarkable leadership and dedication.
Stephanie Zee
Chair, Board of Directors