Melissa Farrell
Board Chair
Melissa joined Halton Healthcare as President and CEO in June 2023. Halton Healthcare is a large multi-sited community hospital located in Halton region, affiliated with McMaster and Toronto Metropolitan Universities. Melissa is a health system leader who is passionate about building integrated care and making sure that people have the support they need from all parts of the health system.
Prior to joining Halton Healthcare, Melissa served as President of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where she led an innovative multi-site academic teaching hospital, affiliated with McMaster University. Before her time at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Melissa had a long and distinguished career largely focused in the public sector including her role as Assistant Deputy Minister, Acute and Emergency Health Services for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Melissa is currently Board Chair of the OHA and out-going Board Chair of Shared Services West. She sits on the provincial Ontario Health Paediatric Partnership Table and the Ontario Health - Health System Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the Halton Region System Leadership Advisory.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Queen’s University and has continued educational development in leadership programs at Harvard Business School, Ivey Business School, The Rotman School of Management, and Proximity Institute.
