Dr. Ian Manion announces retirement

Dr. Ian Manion, executive director of the Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (the Centre) officially announced his upcoming retirement at a meeting of the Centre’s Governance Committee last week. Dr. Manion will leave his position on December 31, 2015, after 11 years with the Centre and nearly 30 years with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, where the Centre is based.

“I will be leaving the Centre at a time where its reputation has been firmly established in Ontario and beyond,” said Dr. Manion. “The Centre has grown from a good idea to being an invaluable asset to child and youth mental health in the province of Ontario.”

As a founding director of the Centre, Dr. Manion has been a driving force behind its work, evolution and impact since it opened its doors in 2004. Under his leadership, the Centre has grown to include a staff of nearly 50 professionals dedicated to supporting the ongoing transformation of the child and youth mental health sector all across Ontario.

”Everyone at CHEO is so proud of Ian and his team at the Centre. At this crucial time for child and youth mental health in Ontario, they have come to play a pivotal role in helping make sure more children and youth get more access to better-connected services,” said Alex Munter, CHEO’s chief executive officer. 

In the coming months, CHEO will conduct a comprehensive recruitment strategy in accordance with its existing succession plan for the Centre’s executive director position.  The search will consider a broad range of candidates and be informed by a selection committee that represents key Centre stakeholders.

Ian will continue to be a strong champion for child and youth mental health issues provincially, nationally and internationally. He will maintain a clinical practice, provide consulting support to important initiatives and inspire ongoing learning and innovation through his work as a sought-after speaker and advocate.