Photo caption: Frank Bagatto, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Board member, brings decades of health care leadership experience from hospitals across Ontario to his role as a dedicated Board member.
When people think about a hospital, they usually picture doctors, nurses, and frontline medical staff. They might not always think about the volunteers who help guide the organization behind the scenes.
At Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), the volunteer Board of Directors plays a vital role in keeping care safe, high-quality, and deeply connected to the region. The HDGH Board of Directors and its sub-committees are responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the Executive Leadership Team, as well as regularly reviewing the hospital's Vision, Mission, and Values. This dedicated group of volunteers brings a wide range of skills and local experience to the table.
Frank Bagatto brings a wealth of health care experience to his role as a dedicated HDGH Board member. As a past President and CEO of HDGH with decades of health care leadership across Ontario, including Richmond Hill, Owen Sound, Sarnia, and St. Catharines, he has a deep, understanding of HDGH's history, mission and vital role in the community.
Seeing good governance as an essential public service, Frank and his fellow Board members focus on asking the right questions, maintaining high ethical standards, and always putting people first.
To do this effectively, the Board works hand-in-hand with HDGH's Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), which serves as a vital advisory resource to both the Senior Management Council and the Board's Quality Committee. By listening directly to patient and family advisors, board members ensure that real, lived experience guides hospital decisions — keeping leadership truly person-centered across all specialized programs, from rehabilitation and complex medical care to mental health and addictions.
One of the greatest strengths of Ontario’s health care system is that hospitals are governed by local volunteer boards. Directors live and work in the communities they serve, which helps them make thoughtful decisions that support the people who rely on HDGH every day.
Highlighting the true purpose of voluntary hospital governance, Frank explains:
"As a volunteer on the Board of Directors of HDGH in Ontario’s voluntary governance of hospitals, we carry a tremendous responsibility to follow the highest standards of good governance and in so doing, provide the best possible quality of care within available resources. We are motivated by our mission to serve, by supporting our caregivers, in providing care for those in need, regardless of race, colour, creed or sexual orientation."
For Frank, one of the most rewarding parts of serving on the Board is seeing the unwavering dedication of HDGH’s staff, physicians, and caregivers. He emphasizes that the Board's core role is to support the people who provide care every single day. When caregivers have the tools, resources, and direction they need to succeed, patients and clients receive the best possible care.
HDGH has been caring for Windsor-Essex for more than 135 years. For community leaders like Frank Bagatto, serving on the Board is a deeply meaningful opportunity to give back. By sharing stories like his, HDGH hopes to highlight the true value of volunteer governance and the vital role local community members play in shaping a trusted place of care, compassion, and hope for generations to come.