[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/MarvinRyder.jpg” caption=”Marvin Ryder”]Marvin Ryder, assistant vice-president, information services & technology, will chair the new board of directors for the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation (HHSC).

Ryder has just completed his term as the chair of the provincial transition board that oversaw the formation of the new City of Hamilton.

Ryder's appointment was announced today at a press conference along with the names of the 11 other local community members who comprise the board of directors for the super hospital.

HHSC also announced that seasoned health administrator, Murray T. Martin, has been appointed to lead the hospital. HHSC is comprised of the McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC) and the Chedoke, Hamilton General and Henderson General Hospitals. The General, Henderson and MUMC are full-service hospitals with ERs, while Chedoke is a centre for rehabilitation and chronic care.

“This is an impressive team that together and individually possess the leadership and personal qualities required to help our hospital continue to meet the health needs of this region,” Ryder said. “Every one of the new volunteer directors cares greatly about the health needs of our community. We're committed to doing all we can to stabilize and strengthen every 'vital sign' at HHSC.”

Ryder told the Daily News he will work to strengthen staff morale and public confidence in HHSC. As well, the challenges the board and administrators face include operating HHSC in a fiscally responsible manner and developing a long-term view of health care in Hamilton, especially as it involves HHSC, he said.

Ryder said he also wants to strengthen relationships between HHSC and the Faculty of Health Sciences and other health care organizations in the city, particularly St. Joseph's Hospital.

Ryder, a lecturer on marketing and business policy in the School of Business, said there are similarities between the challenges he faced with the transition board and the work he will do with the hospital.

“We needed to develop an operating plan for the new city which maintained or improved service while staying the course or cutting spending,” he said. “The transition board was not empowered to develop a vision but that is a challenge facing the current council. As chair of the board, I did have to build some credibility and excitement toward the new city but this is an even more important challenge this time around.”

Ryder said this role involves less time than the transition board chair position so he will continue his duties at the university on a full-time basis. The hospital board will likely meet twice a month for the first few months and then will meet monthly. Ryder said the only other community commitment he will undertake is sitting on the board of governors for the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington.