Dr. Shailesh Nadkarni

Accomplished healthcare executive and clinician-scientist with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience transforming complex healthcare organizations and systems across acute care, community care, mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care, seniors' health, and health system integration. Recognized for building high-performing organizations, leading large-scale clinical and operational transformation, and developing innovative models of care that improve quality, access, patient outcomes, and system sustainability. Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams, multimillion-dollar budgets, strategic partnerships, research initiatives, and enterprise-wide change in highly regulated and evolving healthcare environments.

Widely respected for advancing integrated seniors' care, dementia care innovation, mental health services, and population health strategies while fostering cultures of accountability, continuous improvement, academic excellence, and patient-centred care. A collaborative and visionary leader who effectively bridges clinical practice, research, operations, and strategy to deliver measurable organizational and system-level impact.

Clinical Program Director, Seniors Health, Rehabilitation, Complex Continuing Care & Transitional Care - WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM

(2023-Present)

Provides executive leadership for a comprehensive clinical portfolio encompassing Seniors Health, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Complex Continuing Care, Transitional Care, Reactivation Care Units, Functional Enhancement Services, and community-based programs.

• Developed and implemented an integrated seniors' health strategy spanning acute, ambulatory, rehabilitation, transitional, and community sectors.
• Positioned the organization as a provincial leader in innovative dementia and seniors' care.
• Established robust quality, safety, risk, and performance frameworks driving accountability and measurable outcomes.
• Strengthened alignment among clinical operations, education, research, and workforce development.
• Advanced partnerships across hospitals, community organizations, primary care, retirement homes, and long-term care providers.
• Led implementation and evaluation of the Butterfly Model of Emotion-Focused Dementia Care, resulting in provincial and national recognition for innovation, quality, and patient-centred care.

Clinician Scientist - OSLER RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH INNOVATION

(2026-Present)

Leads and collaborates on health services research focused on dementia care, seniors' health, healthcare innovation, patient outcomes, and care transformation.

• Dementia care innovation
• Voice biomarkers and artificial intelligence research
• Behavioural health in aging populations
• Evaluation of integrated care models

Clinical Services Manager, Mental Health & Addictions - WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM

(2017-01 - 2023-12)

Directed inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based mental health and addiction services.

• Expanded access to advanced psychiatric interventions including rTMS and ECT.
• Successfully secured new operational and program funding.
• Introduced Point-of-Care Clozapine Monitoring, recognized nationally by Accreditation Canada as a Leading Practice.
• Developed innovative staffing and service delivery models to improve quality, efficiency, and access.
• Led interdisciplinary teams through significant operational and clinical transformation.

Regional Director, Patient Care & Partnerships - HAMILTON NIAGARA HALDIMAND BRANT COMMUNITY CARE ACCESS CENTRE

(2015-01 - 2017-12)

Provided regional leadership for integrated care delivery across home and community care, palliative care, primary care partnerships, placement services, and Health Links.

• Led regional transformation initiatives serving diverse populations across multiple communities.
• Advanced integrated care pathways and chronic disease management strategies.
• Strengthened partnerships among hospitals, primary care, long-term care, and community providers.
• Implemented technology-enabled models supporting patient self-management and virtual care.

Vice President, Service & Operations | Chief Privacy Officer - NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION CANADA

(2014-01 - 2015-12)

Provided executive leadership for national healthcare experience measurement, operations, analytics, privacy, and client engagement.

• Strengthened patient experience measurement and improvement strategies across Canada.
• Developed innovative discharge and transition programs improving continuity of care.
• Built strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations, governments, and provincial agencies.
• Advanced organizational excellence through analytics, innovation, and customer-centred design.

Program Director, Mental Health, Seniors Health & Continuing Care - PETERBOROUGH REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE

(2007-01 - 2013-12)

Led one of the organization's largest clinical portfolios encompassing Mental Health & Addictions, Seniors Health, Rehabilitation, Palliative Care, Oncology Services, Continuing Care, and Long-Term Care programs.

• Managed approximately $30 million operating budget and over 300 staff.
• Secured more than $2 million in sustainable operational funding.
• Developed regional mental health bed registry and collaborative care models.
• Led multiple regional system redesign initiatives improving patient flow and access.
• Championed quality-based procedures and health system funding reform initiatives.

Clinical Leadership Roles - CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH (CAMH)

(2000-01 - 2007-12)

Progressively advanced through leadership positions overseeing Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Memory Clinics, Outreach Services, and Clinical Research initiatives.

• Development of innovative multidisciplinary care models.
• Expansion of outreach services for vulnerable older adults.
• Research leadership in dementia, neuropsychiatry, and mental health outcomes.
• Creation of partnerships across hospitals, long-term care, and community organizations.

Master of Health Services Administration - Health Services Administration - Dalhousie University

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery - Medicine - Karnataka University, India