McGill University Health Centre names new executive director

Montreal, QC – February 2, 2004 – The board of directors of the McGill University Health Centre has appointed Dr Arthur Porter as executive director.

Most recently, from 1999 to 2003, Dr Porter was president and chief executive officer of the Detroit Medical Centre, a $1.6 billion health system that is the teaching and clinical research site for Wayne State University School of Medicine, the fourth largest medical college in the United States. In this capacity, Dr Porter effectively reorganized care giving within this multi-site institution and oversaw the installation of modern hospital information systems. He also spearheaded a successful campaign to secure public funding for the care of the indigent and the commitment of the state of Michigan to form a public health authority.

“I am delighted to be joining an internationally recognized university hospital and to be part of a first rate team of health care professionals and academics,” says Dr Porter. “I am delighted to be returning to Canada and to have the opportunity to contribute to maintaining and strengthening health care services for Montrealers and Quebecers.”

Originally from Sierra Leone, Dr Porter is a graduate of the Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine in London, England. He also earned a masters degree in natural sciences from the same university. He holds a masters degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee and certificates in medical management from Harvard University and the University of Toronto. He is an author of more than 300 research articles published in peer-reviewed journals chapters in books and in proceedings of conferences. He is credited with introducing several novel concepts to radiation therapy. His major areas of academic endeavors relate to medical uses of radioactive isotopes and the treatment of prostate cancer.

From 1986-88, Dr Porter served as chief resident in radiation oncology and later as senior radiation oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. During this period, he was associate professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of Alberta. In 1988 through to 1991, he held the position of chief of the department of radiation oncology at the London Regional Cancer Centre and later chairman of the department of oncology at Victoria Hospital. He was a member of the faculty of medicine at the University of Western Ontario.

In 1991, Dr Porter moved to Detroit, Michigan where he was chief of the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Centre at Harper Hospital and radiation oncologist-in-chief at the Detroit Medical Centre among other clinical leadership positions. He was a faculty member at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

“With his dedication to advancing medical knowledge and practice and his commitment to building effective academic health organizations, Dr Porter brings new energy and vision to the MUHC and to the larger network of McGill and Quebec health care institutions,” says Heather Munroe-Blum, principal of McGill University.

Dr Porter will assume his new responsibilities on April 5 following an intensive immersion to improve his French language skills.