Founding Chair of the Board
Don Ford is a seasoned health executive having served in the health field for more than 30 years. Don’s career began at Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario in 1973, starting as a Child and Family Therapist and then assuming positions of increasing administrative responsibility culminating in the position of Administrator, Professional Services. Don relocated to Fort McMurray, Alberta, in 1990 to become President and CEO of Fort McMurray Regional Hospital.
In 1994 Don was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Area Services, Ministry of Health, responsible for the regionalization activities that were part of health reform in that province. During his time in the Alberta government Don served as Deputy Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Community Development and Deputy Minister of Learning.
In 2002, Don relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he served as President and CEO at IWK Health Centre before assuming the role of President and CEO at Capital District Health Authority, an academic health sciences centre and integrated health district. Don has been with the Central East Community Care Access Centre since October 2006.
Don has a BSc in psychology, a diploma in Clinical Behavioral Sciences, a diploma in Health Care Organization and Management and is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Service Executives. Throughout his career, Don has served on numerous local, provincial and national committees and boards.
In 2009 Don Ford was elected to be the Founding Chair of the Board for The Cameron Institute.