Who's who

Deb Gordon, Chief Operating Officer

Deb Gordon is Chief Operating Officer of the University of Alberta Hospital and Stollery Children's Hospital in Capital Health.

Deb's career began as a Registered Nurse in Terrace, British Columbia. She brings significant expertise in both clinical care and leadership through her numerous positions in British Columbia and Alberta as Clinical Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager, Patient Care Manager, Director and Senior Operating Officer. Her relationship with Capital Health began in 1987.

As Chief Operating Officer, Deb oversees the administration of all operational activities pertaining to both hospitals, including capital projects, the foundations of each hospital and patient care programs and services. She directs the implementation of operational strategies congruent with Capital Health's mission. As a member of the Executive Team she collaborates with other members of the team to advance programs and services within the region. Deb maintains a strong relationship with the Faculty of Dentistry and Medicine to foster an environment conducive to health research and education.

Deb is an Associate Faculty Member with the University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of British Columbia and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Alberta. She is also a Certified Healthcare Executive with the Canadian College of Health Service Executives.

Dedicated emphasis on patient safety and quality of care along with strong commitment to staff and physicians are trademarks of Deb Gordon. She is a dynamic and enthusiastic health services executive.

Dr. Bill Johnston, Site Medical Director

Dr. Bill Johnston was born at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) where he is now medical director. Dr. Johnston graduated from the University of Alberta in 1975. After studying in Toronto, Texas, and Europe, he returned to Edmonton in 1984 to set up an orthopedic practice with his father. He became Chief of UAH orthopedics in 1985, a position he held for eleven years. During that time, he served as president of the UAH medical staff (1993-1994) and chief of surgery (1996-1998). He became president of the Canadian Orthopedic Association in 1990 and in 1998 assumed medical directorship of the University of Alberta Hospital, a position he continues to hold. Apart from his work with the UAH, Dr. Johnson maintains an orthopedic practice specializing in arthroplasty surgery.

Dr. Dylan A. Taylor, Site Medical Director

Dr. Taylor obtained his elementary and secondary school education in Vancouver, B.C. He attended the University of Alberta for his undergraduate degrees, graduating from Medicine in 1981. He moved back to British Columbia for a rotating internship at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. He undertook his residency training in Internal Medicine, and began his Cardiology training, at Dalhousie University before spending two years in practice as a general internist in Kentville, N.S. He completed his Cardiology training and began a fellowship in Echocardiography at his alma mater. He completed this fellowship at the University of Ottawa and then returned to the University of Alberta in Edmonton where he joined the Division of Cardiology.

Very shortly after his return to Edmonton, Dr. Taylor was appointed Director of the Cardiology Residency Program. Over the ensuing twelve years as Program Director, he oversaw the growth of the Program in both number of trainees and national repute. During this interval he has received the Norman Davies Memorial Cardiology Teacher of the Year award eight times, a Clinical Teaching Award by the Professional Association of Residents of Alberta, and has been named Teacher of the Year (Subspecialty Preceptors) by the Department of Medicine, with an additional Honourable Mention. In 2003, he received the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Distinguished Teacher award. He was a member of the Royal College Cardiology Examination Board from 1994 to 2002, including terms as Vice-Chair and Chair. He is currently Chair of Cardiology Specialty Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He has also collaborated with other Canadian Cardiology Program Directors in the formation of the Canadian Cardiology Programs' National Consensus Conference (NATICON²). This group established a series of annual review courses for second and third year residents to help them prepare for the Royal College Cardiology Examinations. Dr. Taylor has been involved in Professional Development with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. In addition to these educational activities, Dr. Taylor has also collaborated on numerous clinical research projects with members of his Division, including studies of coronary artery disease regression and the effects of exercise training on cardiovascular function in health and disease.

Dr. Taylor has been involved in health care administration and planning as the Diagnostic Section Leader of the Cardiac Sciences Program in Capital Health since it's inception in 1995. He was appointed joint Site Medical Director for the University of Alberta Hospital Site in September 2004.

Dr. Taylor has been married to his wife Elaine for nineteen years and has four children in whom he delights.