AUPHA: What's your educational background and why did you choose the area(s) of study that you did?
Lamothe: I have always worked in the healthcare domain. I was first trained as a pharmacist at the University of Montreal. I also completed a graduate diploma in hospital pharmacy since I wanted to practice in a healthcare organization. Since my work in a teaching hospital in Montreal gave me the opportunity to occupy administrative positions, I completed an MBA at HEC Montreal. Later on, in 1996, I was awarded a Ph.D. in Organizational theory from McGill University. The subject of my thesis “The de facto professional hierarchy in a teaching hospital” allowed me to deepen my understanding of such complex organizations. I have been in academia ever since, studying governance and change dynamics in healthcare organizations.
AUPHA: Tell us about the jobs you held before you got into academe.
Lamothe: As a pharmacist, I mostly worked in a teaching hospital in Montreal where I also was assistant head and head of the pharmacy department. In that same hospital, I occupied a staff administrative position as councilor to the CEO. Looking back, I realize that leaving the hospital to work for the Department of health administration in the University of Montreal was a turning point in my life. I then was Director of continuing education for the department. During those years at the university, I decided to aim for a career in academia and completed a Ph.D. I have been teaching and conducting research in healthcare organizations ever since.
AUPHA: Where have you held faculty appointments during your career?
Lamothe: I first started my career as assistant professor at University Laval in Quebec City. After five years, in 2001, I came back to the Department of health administration in Montreal as associate professor. I have been directing the MSc in health administration for the past 3 years. I also hold Visiting professorships at École supérieure des affaires (Business School) in Beyrouth and Nankai University in China.
AUPHA: What made you choose the program you currently lead?
Lamothe: The program is an “institution” in Quebec. It started in 1956 and has remained the only program fully dedicated to health administration in Quebec. It is well-regarded for students, mostly health professionals, aiming for a career in management in the healthcare sector. Faculty is well known, committed to teaching and research and publicly involved.
AUPHA: Tell us what's unique about your program, faculty, students.
Lamothe: Our program has a strong tradition in healthcare management but is also part of the public health sector in our faculty of medicine. This offers the opportunity to learn about public health and acquire a wide and comprehensive understanding of the domain. This is considered a trade mark for our program. Our reputation relies also on our faculty who is well-known and well-published. Most of our professors are engaged in public debates on current health issues or work as advisors with policy makers. Their involvement has repeatedly influenced public policies. We also maintain very close relationships with managers of institutions. Many of them participate in the program. This environment offers a unique opportunity for our students to learn and reflect on current and future challenges in the field. This dynamic environment is also enriched by the contribution of many foreign students in our program. Indeed, mostly health professionals, our foreign students come from Europe, Northern Africa, Africa. This creates a stimulating learning environment. All of our students are selected based on outstanding academic performance and their motivation in a management career.
AUPHA: What's the greatest challenge you face in your role as Program Chair / Director?
Lamothe: A constant challenge is maintaining the highest level of quality and increasing the necessary resources for program development and recruitment. Program development includes continuous adaptation to a rapidly changing field.
AUPHA: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment during your tenure as Program Chair / Director?
Lamothe: Our residency program has improved. With the collaboration of the CEOs of institutions, we are able to make a better “fit” between learning objectives, career expectations of each student and the needs of the organizations. This has resulted in an increase of employment of our new graduates after the residency.
AUPHA: What keeps you in this field, despite the challenges you note above?
Lamothe: I love being involved with students. I find their enthusiasm, dedication and intelligence very stimulating. I hope that my work helps them achieve their goals.
AUPHA: If making a living/money were not a consideration, what would you be doing instead or what would you do in retirement?
Lamothe: I’m not sure I understand the meaning of retirement. I will probably keep on doing what I do, at least part-time, leaving me more time for travelling and sports activities.