Senior Team

Deborah Hammons - CEO

Deborah began her career in healthcare as a nurse and has held senior positions in healthcare organizations throughout Canada including the Vancouver General Hospital, the Ottawa General Hospital, the Toronto Hospital and the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation.  In addition, she has served on the board of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors and is a surveyor for the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA).

As Executive Director of Fairhaven, a long term care home in Peterborough, Ms. Hammons added to her list of professional accomplishments by overseeing the development of a new $25.5 million facility, leading the organization in achieving their first 3-year CCHSA Accreditation, and implementing an Information Strategic Plan to create a state of the art computerized environment. 

“The Central East Local Health Integration Network has begun a major transformation agenda,” said Ms. Hammons.  “As I assume my new role as CEO, I look forward to working with the board, the staff, healthcare providers and community residents as we continue to implement the Integrated Health Service Plan that will make a difference in the lives of the people who live and work in the Central East LHIN.”

James Meloche – Senior Director, Planning, Integration and Community Engagement
James provides local and provincial leadership for the planning and delivery of accessible, high quality and integrated health care services within the diverse region of the Central East LHIN.  Most recently, James guided the LHIN to its first Integrated Health Service Plan which sets out the vision and key health care priorities for the region. Creating this comprehensive plan involved proactive communication with the community, and harnessing of the intellectual energy and passion of hundreds of community residents, physicians and health care professionals.  James did his undergraduate and graduate studies at Carleton University and the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.  James, along with his wife Melanie, and their three young children reside in Pickering, Ontario.

Paul Barker - Senior Director, Performance, Contracts and Allocation

Paul Barker has joined the Central East LHIN as the Senior Director, Performance, Contracts and Allocation (PCA). Most recently, Paul held the position of Senior Director, PCA for two and a half years at the Central LHIN.  Prior to this, Paul held a number of senior positions with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).

Paul was the Ministry Business Lead for the Long-Term Care Homes Funding Review and Common Assessment where he led a comprehensive review, analysis, and design of a new evidenced-based funding methodology for the long-term care homes program.  As Acting Director, Finance and Information Management Branch he was responsible for the strategic financial management and controllership for over $18.5 billion in ministry programs.  As Manager, Divisional Decision Support he managed the research/collection, analysis and synthesis of information to support divisional strategic operational policy, business planning and decision-making.

In his role of Planning Consultant, he was responsible for producing cabinet submissions including the development of financial models, and acting as liaison with other branches/divisions, Management Board and Cabinet Office.  Other positions held at the MOHLTC were Senior Program Analyst for the Corporate Services Division/Fiscal Strategies Branch, Manager, Information Unit, Senior Policy and Program Consultant and Information Coordinator.

Paul has a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science (Honours) Mathematics and Computer Sciences from the University of Toronto.