Q and A with Stephen Butz

The Niagara Health System Board of Trustees is made up of volunteers who live and work in Niagara. Each Board member brings unique skills and expertise to this leadership role. The Board is responsible for governing the NHS and providing strategic direction to the Hospital to ensure it meets the health-care needs of the community within the resources that are available.

Niagara Health Now is publishing a series of question-and-answer profiles on individual members of the Board to help our readers get better acquainted with them. This week’s profile is of Vice Chair Stephen Butz.

Where were you born?
Beautiful Dunnville. No, I did not play for the Mudcats.

Number of years living in Niagara:
Most recently nine – off and on, all my life.

Occupation:
Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Niagara. Also serve as personal banker to three sons going to university.

What are the greatest rewards from your job?
Working with an extraordinary talented group of volunteers and staff leaders. I also get to wear lots of cool YMCA T-shirts.

What influenced you to become a member of the NHS Board of Trustees?
I’ve always looked at health from two perspectives: what happens when we are sick, and what we each do to stay well. My personal and professional interest lies at both ends of this continuum. I think the NHS has an important role as a delivery system and a compelling voice in determining what defines Niagara’s overall view of health. I share, with all Trustees, this commitment to community. I serve, simply to make Niagara a better place for our kids.

How many years have you served on the NHS Board?
Eight.

What is your greatest achievement or reward as a member of the Board?
Together, with the hard and often thankless work of many others, helping to ensure the greatest achievements of the NHS are yet to occur.

What is the greatest opportunity for the NHS?
World-class healthcare, working as an integrated system, serving all of Niagara.

What is the NHS’s greatest challenge?
World-class healthcare, working as an integrated system, serving all of Niagara.

Other involvement as a member of a volunteer Board, past or present?
Board of Directors, Niagara Community Foundation; Labour Market Planning Committee, Niagara Workforce Planning Board; Former Board Member, Leadership Niagara; many other Board gigs as a facilitator and speaker.

How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
Good, trying to get better. Too intense, often strategic, lousy backhand.

What is your greatest personal achievement?
One amazing wife and three remarkable (and surprisingly normal) kids. Friends so close I want them to speak at my funeral.