Faculty

Michael Harris

CHA Learning Faculty | Long-Term Care Executive Leadership Program
MAdEd, FCCHL

Michael Harris is an experienced healthcare executive with more than 35 years of leadership across long-term care, quality improvement, health system operations, and adult education. His career has spanned senior leadership roles in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, where he has led organizational improvement, operational excellence, and quality initiatives across the continuing care and health and social services sectors.

Most recently, Michael served as Vice President, Long-Term Care Operations (West) with Extendicare, providing executive leadership for long-term care operations across Western Canada. His previous leadership roles include Regional Director, Regional Manager of Quality Improvement and Education, Site Administrator and Executive Director with Revera; Director of Quality and Educational Services at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston; Quality Management Coordinator with the Government of Saskatchewan; and Behaviour Therapy Coordinator supporting community-based services.

Michael has been a member of the CHA Learning faculty since 1999 and served as an Accreditation Canada surveyor for 18 years, primarily as a Team Lead Surveyor. He has also contributed to the advancement of healthcare leadership through service on the Board of the Alberta Continuing Care Association and as an Education Consultant with the Canadian Healthcare Association.

Michael holds a Master of Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of Arts from York University. He is a Fellow and Certified Health Executive (CHE) with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and has completed advanced education in executive leadership, quality improvement, and quality management. Although retired from executive practice, he continues to mentor and coach emerging healthcare leaders through CHA Learning.

Picture of Michael Harris, expert faculty at CHA Learning.

Education

  • Canadian College of Health Leaders Fellowship (FCCHL), 2013
  • Certified Health Executive (CHE), Canadian College of Health Leaders, 2001
  • Executive Leadership Program, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, 2019
  • Advanced Training Program in Quality Improvement, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, 2005
  • Quality Assurance Management Certificate, University of Manitoba, 1996
  • Master of Adult Education, St. Francis Xavier University, 1995
  • Bachelor of Arts, York University, 1986
  • Rehabilitation Counselling Diploma, York University/Seneca College, 1986

Professional Experience

  • Faculty and Education Consultant, CHA Learning, HealthCareCAN, 1999–Present
  • Accreditation Surveyor (Team Lead), Accreditation Canada, 2002–2020
  • Vice President, Long-Term Care Operations (West), Extendicare, 2014–2024
  • Regional Director, Alberta, Revera, 2005–2014
  • Regional Manager, Quality Improvement and Education, Revera, 2004–2005
  • Site Administrator and Executive Director, Revera, 2001–2004
  • Director of Quality and Educational Services, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, ON, 1999–2001
  • Quality Management Coordinator, Government of Saskatchewan, 1995–1999
  • Behaviour Therapy Coordinator, Government of Saskatchewan, 1990–1995
  • Counsellor, Metro Toronto Association for Community Living, 1987–1990
  • Counsellor, Ajax-Pickering-Whitby Association for Community Living, 1986–1987

Areas of Expertise

  • Healthcare Leadership
  • Quality Management

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL), 2001–Present
  • Member, Fellows Council, Canadian College of Health Leaders, 2015–2019
  • Member, National Quality Committee, Canadian College of Health Leaders, 2011–2017
  • Executive Member, Southern Alberta Chapter, Canadian College of Health Leaders