OMNI’s culture and values attract new CEO
Tuesday February 19, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
ORILLIA, Ont. — The OMNIway has long been Pat McCarthy’s way. So when the position of CEO at OMNI Health Care became vacant, McCarthy knew he was the person for the job.

The high standard of care OMNI delivers to the more than 1,400 residents in its 17 long-term care homes, coupled with the progressive and innovative approach the organization takes in the relationships it builds with staff members and the community, are all factors that influenced McCarthy’s decision to join the OMNI family.

“I bring values that are very similar, so it’s a good fit,” he says.

McCarthy has paid close attention to the progress OMNI has made over the years.

“For many years I’ve watched the OMNIway; I’ve watched the website in terms of the good news stories,” he says. “OMNI has a culture that’s world class, and that’s what attracted me in the first place. I really do believe that it lives the culture. It’s well known for its culture amongst our sector and amongst other health-care providers, as well.”

McCarthy has been involved with long-term care since the late 1980s. A chartered accountant by trade, he has held positions in both finance and operations in the long-term care and retirement home sectors.

Currently, McCarthy serves as CEO of The Steeves & Rozema Group, a Sarnia-based real estate company overseeing the management and development of long-term care homes, retirement homes, multi-residential and commercial properties.

Before he takes the reigns as OMNI’s CEO on April 1, an important step for McCarthy will be getting to know everyone in the OMNI family. With this in mind, he made the 400-km trek from Sarnia to Orillia to attend OMNI’s first annual OMNIway forum Feb. 12-14, which was attended by 118 managers.

His interaction with members of the OMNI family since accepting the position has helped smooth the transition, he notes.

“I’ve met so many people here this week, as well as during my visits to home office prior to this. I’m ready to go,” he says. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the people, getting to know the homes better and getting out of the office and going about meeting people and doing what we do best.”

Looking to the future, McCarthy says he plans to help the company continue to expand.

“What we’re looking forward to is some more growth. It will be limited in scope, but there will be some more growth happening and we’ll go forth and take the OMNI values forward.”