Governance as an instrument of successful organizational integration

In July 1997 the Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) issued a formal direction to the Wellesley Central Hospital to relinquish the operation and management of its programs and services to St. Michael's Hospital. This event propelled staff and volunteers into four years of unrelenting efforts to bring together the mission, vision, values, human resources, clinical programs and broad communities of these two very unique and long-standing organizations. Looking back, the result was arguably one of the most successful hospital mergers in the province at that time. A number of factors were responsible for this outcome. The tremendous value of a strong and integrated governance team clearly stands out as one of the most pivotal success factors. This article examines the principles and structures that guided the governance team and St. Michael's Hospital to a stronger and more vibrant future.