St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Announces New Chief of Staff, Dr. Erica Van Daalen

Published On: October 29, 2024

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Erica Van Daalen as the hospital’s new Chief of Staff, effective November 1. Dr. Van Daalen succeeds Dr. Waleed Chehadi, who has been dedicated to this role since 2016.

Dr. Van Daalen brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to patient-centred care to her new role. She graduated from Western University with an undergraduate degree in Genetics and Cell Biology before pursuing her medical degree at the University of Toronto. Dr. Van Daalen completed specialty training in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine at Western University, where she developed a passion for direct patient care and patient advocacy.

“Medicine has always been a calling for me,” says Dr. Van Daalen. “It’s a field that allows me to combine my love for working with people and my desire to make a meaningful impact on their lives, especially during challenging times.”

Throughout her career, Dr. Van Daalen has found particular fulfillment in preventative care and palliative care, viewing each patient’s journey through illness as an opportunity to provide compassionate support and guidance. Dr. Van Daalen has served as the Chief of the Emergency Department at STEGH for the last four years. In addition to working in the Emergency Department, she is an active physician in STEGH’s Chemotherapy Unit.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Erica Van Daalen as our new Chief of Staff,” says Karen Davies, President and CEO. “Her dedication to patient care, combined with her leadership experience and community involvement, make her an outstanding addition to our hospital’s leadership team.”

In her new role, Dr. Van Daalen will offer visionary leadership, working closely with hospital administration and clinical teams to enhance health care services, steer clinical operations, and cultivate a culture of excellence.

“I’m excited to step into this role as Chief of Staff,” says Dr. Van Daalen. “Being able to lead such a talented and dedicated team is an honour, and I look forward to working together to continue providing excellent care to our community. I’m committed to helping our hospital grow and thrive in the years to come.”

Dr. Van Daalen’s appointment marks a new chapter for STEGH, building upon the foundation laid by Dr. Waleed Chehadi during his tenure as Chief of Staff. The hospital extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Chehadi for his eight years of exemplary service and leadership.