The Queensway Carleton Hospital is mourning the loss of its CEO Tom Schonberg this week after the health-care executive, described as a “steady, guiding hand and deeply devoted leader,” passed away unexpectedly Monday.
A statement from the QCH said that Schonberg was rushed to the hospital by ambulance Monday evening but that he died shortly after arriving. Schonberg was 65.
The hospital’s release called Schonberg a “tireless advocate” for the QCH over his 20 years at the helm and credited him with laying the foundations for the facility’s sizeable expansions over the past two decades as well as its renovations and two-storey addition for extended mental health services, slated for completion later this year.
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News of Schonberg’s passing drew an outpouring of support and sadness from the Ottawa community, with friends such as Algonquin College president Cheryl Jensen offering their condolences. Jensen noted on Twitter that flags would be lowered on Algonquin’s Ottawa campus to mark Schonberg’s contributions to health education.
This is a touching tribute to our Tom. Thank you @cheryljensen and @AlongquinColleg. https://t.co/TFaVUPCVVZ
— Queensway Carleton H (@QCHOttawa) February 12, 2019
Heart wrenching to hear Tom Schonberg passed away. I’m incredibly saddened for his family & our community. Tom was always available to meet with me on healthcare, mental health & long term care. He guided our @QCHOttawa into one of Ottawa’s great institutions. Rest peacefully.
— Lisa MacLeod (@MacLeodLisa) February 12, 2019
A great loss for our city. My sympathies to Tom’s family and friends
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) February 12, 2019
QCH has appointed vice-president of patient care and chief nurse executive Leah Levesque as CEO in the interim until a permanent replacement is found.