Dr. David Pichora
Executive Coordinator: Heather Kemp
Dr. David Pichora is a sought-after health-care leader and surgeon, known for his dedication to driving meaningful change, strategic advocacy, and commitment to advancing health-care innovation. Over the course of his career, he has led transformative initiatives that have strengthened hospital governance, improved patient care, and expanded health-care access across Ontario.
With a focus on long-term impact and practical innovation, Dr. Pichora is committed to ensuring that hospitals have the resources, collaboration, and strategic direction needed to serve their communities and thrive in an evolving health-care landscape. He is known for bringing together key stakeholders, fostering partnerships, and championing initiatives that create lasting improvements. His leadership and persistence have positioned KHSC at the forefront of medical imaging, robotic-assisted surgery, genomics, and precision diagnostics, while also enhancing hospital agility in responding to surges in demand and evolving patient needs.
As President and CEO of Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) since its inception in 2017, Dr. Pichora was a key architect of the first successful integration of a secular and a faith-based hospital, a pioneering model that has since influenced hospital collaboration across Canada. Under his leadership, KHSC has grown into one of the country’s top-ranked academic health sciences centres, widely recognized for excellence in clinical care, research, and education.
Beyond KHSC, Dr. Pichora plays a critical role in health-care system governance. As Chair of the Board for the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), he works to strengthen risk management and patient safety strategies across the sector. He also serves as Chair of the Mohawk Medbuy Corporation’s Quality and Performance Committee, where he advances value-based procurement and system-wide performance improvements. His governance expertise extends to his role as a senior leader within the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO), where he supports physician leadership and academic excellence.
In addition to his executive leadership, Dr. Pichora remains an active surgeon, educator, and researcher. He is a tenured professor in the Department of Surgery at Queen’s University and holds a cross-appointment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His clinical practice and academic contributions enhance his credibility as a leader who understands both frontline health care challenges and system-wide opportunities for improvement.
Recognized for his persistence, strategic vision, and ability to turn innovative ideas into reality, Dr. Pichora continues to shape the future of health care in Ontario through collaborative leadership and a focus on advancing patient care in meaningful ways.
Outside of work, he is an avid hockey player and enjoys skiing with family and friends.
