Martine Alfonso: new leader at the Montreal Children’s Hospital

Martine Alfonso, who was selected with the support of both the Council for Services to Children and Adolescents and the Board of Directors of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), will take on the role of Associate Executive Director of the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH), effective January 7. 2013.  
 
“I am confident that Martine will ensure the MCH enhances its leadership position within the Quebec healthcare network and she will be a strong advocate for The Children’s within the MUHC,” said Normand Rinfret, director general and chief executive officer of the MUHC. “Martine personifies our commitment to ensuring that children have timely access to care in a compassionate environment while remaining at the forefront of advances in teaching and research.” 
 
In her new position Alfonso will work with her MCH colleagues on preparing for the move to the Glen in 2015 and deploying the associated services for patients and their families.  
 
“It is with much enthusiasm that I have accepted The Children's AED position,” says Alfonso. “It will be a privilege to contribute to the ongoing success of this important institution. I very much look forward to joining their team in the New Year.”  
 
For 14 years, Alfonso worked as a physiotherapist before becoming part of the management leadership at the Institut de Readaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal in 2003. By 2009, she joined the MUHC team and became Administrative Director of the Neuroscience Mission. In this role she was responsible for the administration of clinical activities at The Neuro, neuroscience activities at the Montreal General Hospital and related ambulatory services. Two years later, with the passing of Dr. David Colman, Alfonso was named Interim Director of the Montreal Neurological Hospital (MNH).  In this capacity, she has provided steady and effective leadership during a challenging period and she has played a key role in developing the transition plan for the period leading up to the anticipated move of The Neuro to the Glen in 2019.  
 
At the time Guy Rouleau assumes his new position, Martine Alfonso will be bringing her experience as a healthcare practitioner and manager to her new assignment.  
 
“The decision to leave The Neuro was a difficult one,” says Alfonso. “For the last four years, I have worked with clinicians, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute leaders and the whole Neuro community in support of integrating cutting edge research and outstanding clinical care. With interest, I will continue to follow the successes of their many projects under the capable and dynamic leadership of Guy Rouleau.”