Montfort presents March 22 Medal to Dr Bernard Leduc, former hospital CEO
Ottawa, March 22, 2024 - On the anniversary of the Great Rally of 1997 to protect the hospital from closure, Montfort presented the March 22 Medal to Dr. Bernard Leduc, who served as President and CEO of the hospital from 2010 to 2023.
March 22, 1997 is a pivotal date in the history of Hôpital Montfort. At that time, 26 days after the Ontario government announced Montfort's closure, over 10,000 demonstrators gathered at the Ottawa Civic Centre to support the S.O.S Montfort cause.
Created by Montfort in 2004 in a limited edition of 22, the March 22nd Medal recognizes Francophone builders, advocates and leaders who have the hospital at heart. Recipients are individuals or groups from the community who are recognized for their leadership qualities and generosity, and who demonstrate exceptional pride, tenacity and perseverance in helping Hôpital Montfort grow and continue to stand out. Today, Dr. Leduc was awarded the fourteenth copy of this medal.
"The Board of Directors of Hôpital Montfort, as well as the entire staff, are pleased and proud to recognize this year the exceptional commitment of Dr. Bernard Leduc, who has left his mark on the history of Montfort over the past decades," said Carl Nappert, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hôpital Montfort, during the celebration.
"This recognition, to join the great names of history, touches me very particularly," said Dr. Leduc with emotion, as he accepted the medal. "March 22 is an important date for the hospital, an important date for S.O.S Montfort, but it's a date that belongs to the community, to the Francophonie of Ontario."
About Dr. Bernard Leduc
Dr. Bernard Leduc joined the Montfort Hospital as a family physician at the height of the SOS Montfort cause. He served as Chief of Staff from 2004 to 2009. In 2010, he became CEO. For 13 years, he led the hospital with a vision always focused on the well-being and safety of patients and staff, based on the principles of continuous improvement.
The hospital's progress during its mandate includes: obtaining university hospital status in 2013; achieving the highest possible designation from Accreditation Canada, not once, but three times, in 2014, 2018 and 2022; the creation of the Institut du Savoir Montfort, responsible for teaching, continuing education and research at Montfort; constant and exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the opening of several screening centers and support for two long-term care residences; the completion and opening of Carrefour santé Aline-Chrétien, in Orléans; and the decisive role in the creation and growth of Équipe Santé Ontario Archipel, the only one in Ontario committed to offering fully bilingual care and services.
Dr. Leduc has also contributed at provincial and national levels as a member of several boards, including the Health Standards Organization, where he served as President from 2020 to 2023. Thanks to the work of Dr. Leduc and the entire Montfort team, the hospital is well positioned for the future. Since 2015, Montfort has been listed as one of Canada's top 40 research hospitals, and in 2019, it entered the U.S. magazine Newsweek's list of the world's best hospitals, moving up 20 places in five years to rank 44th in Canada this year.
Dr. Leduc has made a significant contribution to the provision and maintenance of exemplary care in Montfort, while also being involved with organizations such as the Association des communautés francophones d'Ottawa, the Société santé en français, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, the Réseau des services de santé en français de l'est de l'Ontario and Médecins francophones du Canada. He was awarded the Prix Paulette-Gagnon in 2021, the Ordre des francophones d'Amérique in 2023, and the Order of Ontario in January of this year.
About Montfort
Montfort is Ontario's francophone teaching hospital, offering exemplary person-centred care. Montfort serves more than 1.2 million people in Eastern Ontario in both official languages. Montfort received its third Accreditation with High Commendation from Accreditation Canada in 2022, and is the first hospital to be designated as a Francophone Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.
With its main partners, the University of Ottawa and La Cité College, as well as other post-secondary programs, Montfort is preparing the next generation of French-language healthcare professionals. Since 2015, it has been one of Canada's top 40 research hospitals, thanks to the activities of the Institut du Savoir Montfort. Montfort aims to become "your reference hospital for exceptional services, designed with you and for you". In 2019, it was named one of the world's top 1000 hospitals.