*New physician to lead infectious diseases team

Rouge Valley Health System

News Release

July 27, 2009 — The latest physician to join Rouge Valley Health System’s (RVHS) medical group will lead the infectious diseases team, and continue with the hospital’s commitment to preventing and effectively treating infectious diseases, including the H1N1 virus.

Dr. Abdelbaset Belhaj is the new infectious diseases consultant and medical director of the infection prevention and control team. Beginning in August, the physician, who is also a medical microbiologist, will see patients at both hospital campuses: Rouge Valley Centenary (RVC) in east Toronto, and Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering (RVAP) in west Durham region.

“The infection control team at Rouge Valley is thrilled at the addition of Dr. Belhaj. With his background as a medical microbiologist and expertise in infectious diseases, he will be a real asset to both our program and patients,” says Tricia Root, director of infection prevention and control at Rouge Valley. “As an infectious diseases specialist, I also believe that he will be a great help to our other physicians.”

Dr. Belhaj’s role at RVHS is unique because of his background as a medical microbiologist, and because of his dedicated role as an infectious diseases specialist. In addition to his role as medical director, Dr. Belhaj will be consulted on in-patient issues, and will begin seeing out-patients in his infectious diseases clinic at RVC in September.

“Dr. Belhaj will play an important role here at RVHS, and he will prove to be a benefit to both our medical team and to our patients. Delivering quality patient care remains our priority, and the addition of Dr. Belhaj will allow us to further that commitment,” agrees Sonia Peczeniuk, vice president, medical affairs and clinical support.

Dr. Belhaj is eager to begin his new role at RVHS, and is excited about playing an integral role with the hospital’s infection prevention and control program. “I am pleased to be taking on this leadership role at Rouge Valley, and I look forward to being a part of the excellent team of physicians here,” says Dr. Belhaj. The married father of two young children recently relocated to Pickering with his family.

One of Dr. Belhaj’s biggest roles will be helping to rollout the hospital’s pandemic plan. RVHS has taken a proactive, measured approach in dealing with infectious diseases—such as the H1N1 virus—at both of its hospital campuses. Dr. Belhaj will help the hospital to continue its efforts to successfully treat patients, and to educate both staff and patients on this virus. He will also be providing physician leadership on antibiotic stewardship.

Dr. Belhaj joins infectious diseases specialists Dr. Ian Kitai, Dr. Ashley Roberts and Dr. Michael Silverman, a group already known for infectious diseases leadership and expertise. Dr. Kitai and Dr. Roberts, who are also paediatricians, will continue to provide infectious diseases support and consultations to paediatric patients. Dr. Belhaj and Dr. Silverman will focus on providing infectious diseases consultations to adult patients.

Dr. Belhaj is originally from Libya and fluent in Arabic.  After attending medical school at Al Fateh University in Libya, and further studies at Khoms Teaching Hospital and Almergeb University—also in Libya—Dr. Belhaj came to Canada in 2004. From 2004 to 2009, Dr. Belhaj was part of McMaster University’s medical microbiology program, rotating between the McMaster University Medical Centre; Hamilton General Hospital; St. Joseph’s Healthcare and Henderson General Hospital, all in Hamilton.

During his time in Hamilton, Dr. Belhaj immersed himself in the city’s various community-based organizations dedicated to infection prevention and control. He was previously a member of Hamilton’s Infection Control Committee, the Central South Infection Control Network Steering Committee, and the Antibiotic Subcommittee of the Hamilton Health Science Centre. As a member of these organizations, Dr. Belhaj helped to provide guidance to local hospitals and long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control issues, and helped to provide guidelines for the treatment of infections.

Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) — The best at what we do

RVHS is an excellent acute care community hospital with many programs, including 24/7/365 emergency, cardiac care and mental health. Rouge Valley consists of several health sites, including two community hospital campuses: Rouge Valley Centenary in east Toronto; and Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering in west Durham. Together, a team of physicians (224 general practitioners and 325 specialists), 1,000 nurses and many other professionals care for a broad spectrum of health conditions. Working in consultation and partnership with community members, other hospitals, health care organizations, the Central East Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Rouge Valley continues to improve its programs and cater to the needs of the growing communities of east Toronto, Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.

Contact

Nicholas Smith
Senior Communications Specialist
Public Affairs and Community Relations
Rouge Valley Health System
(416) 270-8860
nsmith@rougevalley.ca