Community Council Spotlight: Arthur Ronald
December 6, 2024.
Arthur Ronald is a lifelong health and wellness advocate who brings decades of experience in health care to his role as a member of the Community Council with the Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT). From his early career in health sciences in Scotland to his role as CEO at the Lennox and Addington County General Hospital, Arthur has always prioritized collaboration in health care design and delivery, believing effective health care is “only as strong as the partners you have in the community.” Now, through his involvement with the FLA OHT, he is helping shape a health-care system in our region focused on partnerships, community engagement, and holistic care.
When Arthur learned about the FLA OHT and its plans for the Health Home model, he saw a unique opportunity to contribute and continue his lifelong commitment to health-care innovation. As a member of the Community Council, he is committed to ensuring that the Health Home model reaches everyone in Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. He envisions a health-care system where each community member understands and can easily access the services they need, from primary care to social support, and feel empowered to engage in their health journey.
“Health Homes provide an advantage to get into the community and start to explain what health is all about and how people might be able to obtain whatever type of service they require,” says Arthur. For Arthur, this model represents a shift from traditional health-care systems toward an approach that makes health care more accessible, holistic and connected. Arthur is particularly hopeful about the Health Home model’s potential to reduce unnecessary emergency visits by offering a centralized point of contact for health care and social services alike. He hopes for a system where people can easily navigate their health needs and be connected to a range of services provided by an interdisciplinary team of providers to address underlying social factors and ultimately promote better health outcomes for people. “These [Health Homes] are the contact point for any kind of health-care service required - and not just health care, they can connect people to social and broader wellness services. These are very much part of a connected model of care.”
Arthur emphasizes the potential of Health Homes to address broader wellness needs within the community - beyond specific health concerns, “People need to have a support system in their community for whatever they require,” shares Arthur. “I think health care is much more than simply treating disease,” he explains. “Health care needs to look at the broader aspects, from food security to social isolation, which all play a part in people’s overall health.” Arthur believes Health Homes are well-positioned to foster connections and address underlying health issues and other social determinants of health, particularly through partnerships and collaboration with local organizations and social service providers.
Looking to the future, Arthur hopes the FLA OHT will continue to build on its role as an “integrator” in the community, fostering connections across sectors to address a broad range of health and social needs. Arthur also hopes the FLA OHT will play a vital role in integrating home care within the Health Home model, strengthening the connections between home and care services, and delivering a more interconnected system that addresses both health and social needs. Arthur believes this integrated approach would reduce the need for institutional care, supporting individuals in their homes and building the foundation for healthier, more resilient communities.
Learn more about how you can get involved in the Community Council here.