Canadian doctor loses job for visiting Dominican Republic

The Ontario hospital CEO who visited the Dominican Republic over the holiday break has lost both of his jobs following an outcry over his choice to travel despite pandemic information. The Ontario hospital CEO who visited the Dominican Republic over the holiday break has lost both of his jobs following an outcry over his choice to travel despite pandemic information.

Tom Stewart who was employed as Chief Executive of St. Joseph’s Health System in Hamilton, went to the Dominican Republic on a recent 2½-week vacation. He was removed on Thursday by St. Joseph’s board of directors, which convened the next meeting to decide his fate.

“The St. Joseph’s Health System and Dr. Thomas Stewart, CEO, and President have separated ways active from today,” said a report on Thursday.

“The board of directors of St. Joseph’s Health System would like to thank Dr. Thomas Stewart for his valuable service since understanding the role of CEO and President in August 2018.” noted the board members  It said an interim replacement would be named shortly.

The St. Joseph’s hospital system promotes health care facilities in Hamilton, Guelph, Brantford, and Kitchener. According to the province's public disclosure list, Dr. Stewart’s 2019 salary with taxable benefits was $629,000.

According to Dr. Stewart’s contract posted online, he may be entitled to 24 months of salary equal to more than $1.1-million in end payments, although it’s unclear whether he would still be eligible.

The contract said he wouldn’t be eligible if he is terminated for “gross neglect of duty” or “willful neglect” of his duties. St. Joseph’s did not directly respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Dr. Stewart was also replaced late Wednesday in his other role as CEO of the Niagara Health network of hospitals. On Tuesday, Dr. Stewart resigned from his roles directing the rural government on both the COVID-19 science and command tables.

The revelation about the hospital leader’s travel came just days after Ontario’s finance minister, Rod Phillips, abandoned after taking a December trip to St. Barts' exclusive Caribbean resort island.

Several federal politicians were also found to have traveled during the break, and in Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney’s municipal affairs minister and chief of staff also abandoned, and five MLAs were demoted.