Sandra Northcott

Chief of Staff, The Royal Mental Health Centre

Dr. Sandra Northcott is the newly appointed Chief of Staff and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at The Royal Mental Health Centre in Ottawa, Canada.1 2 She is set to take on this role in June 2024, replacing Dr. Gail Beck who had been serving in an interim capacity.1

Professional Background

Dr. Northcott brings extensive experience to her new position:

She has been a practicing psychiatrist for over 23 years.1 3
Her career has included significant medical and academic leadership roles since 2015.1
Prior to joining The Royal, she served as the chair of London's St. Joseph's Health Centre medical advisory committee.1
She also held the position of associate dean of learner experience at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.1

Notable Achievements

Dr. Northcott has made significant contributions to mental health care and medical education:

At Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, she led initiatives to improve access to mental health supports for medical and dental students.1
She was the physician lead for implementing the Zero Suicide program at St. Joseph's, which was groundbreaking as the first of its kind in Canada.1
Her career has been dedicated to improving mental health care and education.4

Role at The Royal

As Chief of Staff at The Royal Mental Health Centre, Dr. Northcott will:

Lead the institution's medical services and academic activities.2
Ensure continued excellence in clinical care.2
Work alongside the new President and CEO, Cara Vaccarino, to improve access and care across the community.1

Dr. Northcott's appointment, along with that of Cara Vaccarino as President and CEO, marks a new chapter for The Royal as it continues to serve as Ottawa's largest mental health and research facility.1