Lakeridge Health Attracts New Critical Care Lead

Dr. Randy Wax is a Critical Component for Durham Region Hospital Services

DURHAM, ON, April 20 /CNW/ - Kevin Empey, Lakeridge Health President and CEO is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Randy Wax to the hospital network as Medical Director Education and Patient Simulation and Physician Leader - Critical Care and Resuscitation.

"Dr. Wax is a Canadian and international pioneer in simulation-based health education. Lakeridge Health is very fortunate to recruit a physician of his significant talents and experience," Mr. Empey said. "Dr. Wax's work developing simulation-based education as a teaching and evaluation tool at Mount Sinai Hospital will be very important as we work towards making LHEARN (Lakeridge Health Education and Research Network) a world class training environment," added Mr. Empey. LHEARN will include two (2) state-of-the-art simulation labs that can be modified to mirror different hospital areas (e.g. surgical suite, critical care, ER etc...) where teams of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can sharpen their skills and learn new techniques. "Randy is an excellent critical care physician and leader who will work with our physician colleagues to help attract additional specialists to our hospital network," said Lisa Shiozaki, Vice President of Patient Care.

Dr. Wax earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toronto in 1994. Dr. Wax is an award-winning international expert in patient safety, in-hospital medical emergency teams and disaster preparedness, with extensive contributions during SARS and the recent H1N1 crisis. He also serves as the educational medical consultant with Ornge, the provincial air ambulance/transport medicine program.

"I am very impressed with the number of physician, nurse and other health professionals teaching across the Lakeridge Health network," said Dr. Wax "Integrating simulation into the education of trainees and experienced professionals will enhance safe, high-quality care throughout Durham region. Just as pilots practice before flying and prepare for unusual emergencies through simulation, our health care professionals will drill as teams to be ready to help when patients need help the most," added Dr. Wax.

"With LHEARN, ongoing hospital redevelopment and Project Regeneration, this is an exhilarating time to work at Lakeridge Health," said Dr. Wax. "The Lakeridge Health Critical Care group has an excellent reputation. I look forward to working as part of this team to further develop Critical Care services for Durham Region, with our partners across our LHIN, and throughout Ontario."

For further information: Leigh Winn-Kruck, Communications, [phone] ext. 4317, [email protected]