Deb Galet, Interim President and CEO of Baycrest Hospital and Long-Term Care, is a leader whose passion for innovative and compassionate care has shaped a career spanning more than 25 years. With a foundation in clinical practice, hospital administration and program development, she has dedicated herself to transforming care for older adults. At Baycrest, Deb and her team of healthcare professionals are driving forward collaborative, person-centered models that reach far beyond the hospital's walls – strengthening partnerships, expanding dementia care and delivering critical support to underserved communities across Ontario and around the world.
Expanding Access to Specialized Care
In 2015, drawn by her deep commitment to geriatric care, Deb joined Baycrest Hospital as the Executive Director of Interprofessional Practice and Ambulatory Specialty Clinics. Over the years, her role expanded to oversee key portfolios including Hospital Quality and Transformation, Culture, Arts & Heritage and Behaviour Support Services.
Recognizing the urgent need for specialized dementia care beyond traditional hospital settings, Deb co-created Baycrest's Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) program in 2020, alongside Dr. Morris Freedman. VBM enables individuals living with dementia to access expert, personalized care from their own homes, significantly reducing barriers to specialized treatment. Today, VBM continues to expand, extending Baycrest's expertise to communities across Ontario through new hospital partnerships and exploring cultural adaptation for underserved communities worldwide.
Redefining Dementia Care Through Collaborative Partnerships
In 2024, Baycrest Hospital and Long-Term Care launched an ambitious five-year strategic plan with a clear vision and goals including the Advancement of World-Class Dementia Care and Extending Care Beyond the Campus to Support Older Adults Both Locally and Provincially.
A cornerstone of this strategy is fostering collaborative partnerships to enhance access to dementia care, particularly within remote and rural communities. Recognizing the unique challenges these communities face, Deb has been instrumental in forging partnerships with remote communities and health care providers to better help families in underserved communities access the specialized dementia care they deserve.
A Legacy of Compassionate Leadership
As we celebrate International Women's Day, Deb Galet's leadership exemplifies the profound impact of compassionate and forward-thinking healthcare. Her commitment to expanding dementia care and building strategic partnerships has strengthened equitable access to care for older adults in diverse communities. Beyond her role at Baycrest, she is a mentor and advocate for women in healthcare, championing the next generation of professionals and fostering a future where patient-centered care remains at the heart of healthcare innovation.