Media Release

For: Immediate Release

Date: August 19, 2004

Contact: Robert J. Marshall, PhD.   222-1017

Daniel F. McKinnon Retires as Chair of the Health Services Council.  

Involved in Many Significant Changes During 35-Year Tenure

           Today, Dr. Patricia A. Nolan, Director of the RI Department of Health announced the retirement of Daniel F. McKinnon as the long-time Chair of the Rhode Island Health Services Council.  Mr. McKinnon became Chair in 1969 and was reelected by the membership each year—marking a 35-year history of public service. Mr. McKinnon also served on the Hospital Advisory Committee prior to 1969.  During his previous career, Mr. McKinnon worked as a high school history teacher and an insurance professional.

          “Dan McKinnon exemplifies the model of un-paid public service to the people of Rhode Island,” said Dr. Nolan. “Over the 35 years, he has attended over 1500 Council meetings—often two meeting per week—and participated in deliberations about some of the most significant changes in our health care system.  His leadership and dedication set a high standard for all of us involved in public service.” 

            The Health Services Council, established by RI state law, advises the Director of Health regarding approval of new or expanded health care services and facilities.  These include proposals for: new capital expenditures, significant new health care services, new health care facilities and changes in ownership.  The Governor, Speaker of the RI House and President of the RI Senate appoint the Council’s 22 members.  

            During his tenure as Health Services Council Chair, Mr. McKinnon presided over discussions that would affect the nature of health care services in Rhode Island for decades to come—such as major changes at all of the state’s community hospitals.  Some of the most significant issues included:

•      The initiation of modern, medical imaging technologies such as Computer-Assisted Tomography (CAT); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

•       The new construction, relocation and expansion of Women and Infant’s Hospital

•       The construction of new nursing homes and expansion of nursing home bed capacity in Rhode Island.

•     Hospital consolidations and mergers:  Lifespan (Rhode Island, Miriam, Newport, Bradley hospitals); Care New England (Kent, Butler, Women and Infant’s hospitals) St. Joseph’s Hospital (acute care services consolidation and upgrade) Landmark (Woonsocket and Fogarty hospitals), Memorial and Notre Dame hospitals.

•       Hospital expansions:  Rhode Island Hospital (Hasbro Children’s Unit, Emergency Department, Cancer Treatment Center); Landmark Hospital (cardiac care); Roger Williams Hospitals (bone marrow transplant); South County Hospital (Emergency Department, Radiology Services); Westerly Hospital (Emergency Department, cardiac catheterization) and Kent hospital (Emergency Department, cardiac catheterization).  

“We will miss Dan’s presence at Health Services Council meetings,” said Dr. Nolan, “but will continue to see the fruits of his public service and his overriding concerns about cost effective, quality services for all Rhode Islanders long into the future.”