Leighton McDonald

President & CEO, Closing the Gap Healthcare

Leighton is a physician and accomplished business leader with experience in the fields of health systems management, clinical risk management, corporate and occupational health, wellness and health insurance. He has a strong track record in the healthcare industry achieved through a combination of clinical qualifications and experience, business acumen, health systems expertise and an ability to develop motivated, high performing teams.

Prior to joining Closing the Gap in 2016, Leighton was Chief Operating Officer at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network. He moved to Canada in 2013 after a distinguished 30-year career within South Africa’s health care system. Leighton’s work in South Africa included serving as CEO of Bankmed Health Insurance, one of South Africa’s largest and most respected employer based not-for-profit insurance plans. Other leadership roles included Vice-President of Medical Affairs at Metropolitan Health Group. During his seven-year tenure at the organization, Leighton developed and managed a holistic HIV Risk Management Department, now delivering services to over of two million individuals in Southern Africa.

Leighton is a firm believer in the value of managing population health through illness prevention and has a special interest in promoting health system sustainability through the provision of high quality, evidence-based healthcare services to those requiring healthcare intervention.