Dr. Jack Kitts

Occupation: President and CEO Ottawa Hospital

Dr. Jack Kitts
President and CEO
The Ottawa Hospital

Degrees & Certification
MD, FRCPC
MBA

Personal Life:
Dr. Kitts’ roots are solidly anchored in the Ottawa Valley – He grew up in a small town called Barry’s Bay where he attended elementary and high school
He was active in local sports and outdoors activities and planned to return to Barry’s Bay as the local doctor. In 1981, he met his wife, Lian, a nurse from Toronto and plans changed.
Today, he, Lian and their three children, Kara, Bianca and Bryson call Ottawa their home.

Dr. Jack Kitts received his medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 1980. He completed a three-year tour of duty as a medical officer in the Canadian Armed Forces before returning to the University of Ottawa to complete specialty training in anesthesia and a research fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco. Dr. Kitts then joined the Department of Anesthesia at the Civic Hospital where he became Research Director, Medical Director of the Preoperative Assessment Clinic, and subsequently appointed Chief of Anesthesia and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa in 1995.

In 1998, Dr. Kitts was appointed Vice-President of Medical Affairs and led the medical staff during a complex restructuring in which three hospitals and five large programs were merged into The Ottawa Hospital. He completed his master’s degree in business administration in 2001 and was named President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital in February 2002. Dr. Kitts continues in that position to this day, managing a staff of more than 12,000 employees and 1,400 physicians.

The Ottawa Hospital is recognized as one of the largest and most important research and teaching hospitals in Canada. Its research institute is one of the foremost institutes in Canada, involving more than 1500 scientists, clinical investigators, trainees and staff.

Dr. Kitts’ inclusive, team-oriented strategic leadership, passion to ensure delivery of quality patient-centered care, and the development and mentoring of physician leaders, has been a central, unifying force in establishing and sustaining The Ottawa Hospital’s vision To provide each patient with the world-class care, exceptional service and compassion that we would want for our loved ones. Dr. Kitts is known nationally for his focus and expertise in patient experience, performance measurement and physician engagement; which make him a sought-after advisor and inspirational speaker on these key topics in healthcare today.

Degrees & Certification
MD, FRCPC
MBA

Associated Leadership
Member, OHA Board of Directors

Chair, Trillium Gift of Life Network Transplant Steering Committee

Past Chair, Health Council of Canada

Past Chair, Human Pathogens and Toxins Advisory Committee, Public Health Agency of Canada

Awards
2019 Best Ottawa Business Lifetime Achievement Award

2018 Order of Canada

2018 University of Ottawa Exceptional Leadership Award

2017 Honourary Degree – Algonquin College Police and Public Safety Institute and School of Health and Community Studies

2016 Trudeau Medal for Leadership in Business and Community, Telfer School of Management

2013 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal

2012 Honourary Colonel, Canadian Forces Health Services, Ottawa

2011 CSPE Excellence in Medical Leadership Award -Canadian Society of Physician Executives