Military surgeon, researcher and healthcare leader appointed Chief Medical Officer for Ornge

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Ornge, Ontario's provider of air ambulance and related services, is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Homer Chin-Nan Tien, an internationally-renowned, award-winning physician, administrator and educator, as Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Tien joins Ornge from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he is Medical Director for the Tory Regional Trauma Centre, Canada's largest trauma unit.  He is also a Colonel in the Canadian Forces, having served as a Staff General Surgeon and Medical Officer in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Myanmar and the Golan Heights.

"Dr. Tien is an experienced, well-respected leader in healthcare who is known nationally and internationally for his distinguished service as a frontline physician, his research in trauma medicine, and his mentorship within the Canadian Forces," says Dr. Andrew McCallum, President and CEO of Ornge.  "Our organization will benefit greatly from having someone of his calibre in such a key position of leadership."

In December 2011, Dr. Tien was presented the Order of Military Merit by the Governor General of Canada as a member of the Canadian Forces who demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty.  He presently serves as the Major Frederick Banting Chair in Military Trauma Research for the Canadian Forces and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

As Ornge's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tien will be responsible for providing strategic guidance and operational leadership to all clinical affairs of the organization including the base hospital, medical research, professional practice, corporate quality and patient safety.  Reporting to the CEO, he will provide medical oversight for Ornge physicians and paramedics, ensuring quality of care, consistency, patient safety and patient satisfaction.  The CMO is also responsible for ensuring Ornge's clinical activities comply with regulations, policies and standards of relevant professional and accreditation bodies, and overseeing the continuing medical education and certification of paramedics.  As Dr. Tien has some ongoing commitments with the Canadian Forces, his start date at Ornge will be determined at a later date.

Dr. Tien has a BSc in Biochemistry from Queen's University, an MD from McMaster University and an MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. 

About Ornge
Ornge, a not-for-profit organization, co-ordinates all aspects of Ontario's air ambulance system, the critical care land transport program, paediatric transport program and the authorization of air and land ambulance transfers between hospitals.

SOURCE: Ornge

Ornge Media Relations, [phone] or 1-888-229-8115, [email protected]