1. Press Releases
December 19, 2002
‘IT Executive of the Year’
Computing Canada honors Baycrest’s IT Director
Toronto, ON - Computing Canada has announced its first annual IT Executive of the Year –
Stephen Tucker, Director of Information Technology at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.
The magazine says Tucker was selected from an
overwhelming number of quality nominations for his
“innovative leadership” in IT.
Since he joined Baycrest in 1999, Tucker has built an
impressive track record of accomplishments,
including:
• Establishing Baycrest as a leader in e-
learning;
• Significantly improving network uptime to
99.913 percent;
• Reducing staff turnover in the IT department
from about 50 per cent a year to less than five
per cent;
• Ensuring IT staff have been certified in at least
one IT discipline;
• Implementing an enhanced evergreen
program for desk-top computers, providing a
significant cost reduction in annualized
operating expenses (awarded Employee of
the Year for this achievement)
• Managing a system recovery after a massive network failure scrubbed the primary file
server; and
• Building a wireless network to support physician order entry and bedside charting.
In the past year, Tucker and his IT colleagues also penned a series of articles for Canadian
HealthCare Technology that addressed issues such as the importance of training and certification
of IT staff, and unlocking the power of e-learning.
“Stephen’s leadership, knowledge, skills and credibility in the field has helped to transform
Information Management (IM) at Baycrest, and to recognize IM as a strategic asset towards
achieving the Centre’s vision and strategic direction,” says Vic Lambert, Vice-President of
Information and Support Services.
Tucker says much of his success comes from understanding an important concept -- aligning IT
strategy with the goals of the business. A self-described “creative and social person”, he is
constantly exploring opportunities with technology that will further improve healthcare delivery,
electronic patient record-keeping, knowledge transfer, and reaching out to the sick and elderly in
the community.
Prior to joining Baycrest, Tucker spent six years at Federal Express Canada – a courier company
now recognized for its leadership and innovation in information technology. During his time at
FedEx, Tucker earned nine awards for excellent service and 32 letters of appreciation.