Retiring in April after 17 years as Director General, Jacques Hendlisz presided over one of the most tumultuous and transformative periods at the Douglas. Under his leadership, the hospital transformed into a university institute, developed a shared vision and adopted a patient-centered approach to its operations. In parallel, the Douglas Research Centre became a flagship centre of excellence in mental health research.

Beyond his achievements at the Douglas, Jacques Hendlisz lectures at McGill and sits on several boards, including the Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec and the McGill University Integrated Health Network. He is Chairman of Research Canada, a not-for-profit, voluntary organization that is a national voice for health research advocacy in Canada. He is also active within charitable organizations.

As his distinguished career at the Douglas draws to a close, Jacques Hendlisz reflects on his past and his future.

Any mixed feelings about retiring?

Of course! There are so many new and exciting things happening just now at the Douglas that it’s hard to leave it all behind.

The Douglas is very well positioned to lead at the levels of policy, research and clinical care. We have done very well in integrating research into clinical care, and we have a leadership role in breaking stigma, through public education.

On the other hand, starting something new is always exciting!

What originally brought you here?

Two reasons led me to the Douglas. Although I didn’t have much expertise in mental health, I’ve always been attracted to the academic milieu because it seeks out excellence. It’s an environment where you’re constantly questioning yourself and trying to do better. I’m drawn to that kind of culture, and found it here. The other reason is that intellectually, the study of mental health is truly fascinating, it’s what makes us human.

You were quite young when you arrived…

I am very fortunate to have had leadership roles early on in my career. I was 32 when I became Executive Director of the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, and was appointed twelve years later as Director General of the Douglas.

What kind of academic training did you bring to the job?

My 1st degree was in anthropology and my 2nd in management. In anthropology, my field of interest was belief systems and cosmology… basically, how people understand the world around them. In every society, health is part of our basic beliefs system.

So did that background help me at the Douglas? Absolutely! Mental health issues touch on all aspects of life: medical, social, spiritual, work, housing, love, friendship, family. To work in mental health is to truly appreciate the complexity of everyday life.

What was your biggest challenge when you arrived?

The Douglas was still based on the asylum model, so the perception out there wasn’t very positive and didn’t reflect organizational excellence. We weren’t seen as a modern organization. So apart from a few pockets of excellence amongst researchers, clinicians and managers, the Douglas wasn’t able to attract great administrative talent. In fact I was the first administrator to be hired from the outside in over 25 years.

What has been your proudest achievement?

It would be developing a common vision of the Douglas by the clinical and research staff. This was a big issue because when I arrived, the Douglas had pockets of excellence that had almost nothing to do with each other…they weren’t working together. So it was important to ask, what do psychiatrists, clinicians and researchers share? What will bring everyone together?

This was all part of transforming the Douglas from an asylum into a modern academic mental health centre with a shared vision about integrating care, research, teaching and knowledge transfer in a way that ultimately benefits people living with mental health problems. This shared vision also affects how we work with each other.

What kept you motivated over the years?

When I see how our clinical and research excellence is being recognized provincially, nationally and even internationally, that to me is an indicator that we are succeeding. Our ability to attract leading clinicians, researchers and administrators is what drives me forward.

On a personal note, you’re a chef at a restaurant one evening a week…

Like anyone who’s passionate about cooking, it’s been a fantasy come true to work in a restaurant. My wife and I were regulars at Alex H. and enjoyed talking to the chef, so when he was having health problems, my wife volunteered my services!

Any similarities to your job at the Douglas?

Yes, in dealing with contingencies…the unexpected. No matter how much planning you do, you always have to deal with surprises – wrong deliveries, unripe products, reservation mixups – it never ends. But you have to be able to turn on a dime, adapt… and smile! Actually, my biggest improvement is that three years later, I don’t cut or burn myself as often!

You’re a great believer in meditation. Was this also an asset?

On an inward level, meditation changes your perception of yourself within the world. On an outward level, one gains greater appreciation and compassion for others. We are all unique individuals, connected to each other, yet responsible for our own lives.

Ultimately, meditation helps you gain greater control of your life. In life, we can’t always control external events, but one thing we can control is how we deal with them. In dealing positively with events, you may end up influencing them…it’s a paradox.

What are your fondest memories of the Douglas?

No question — the people I’ve met throughout the organization at every level. They’re wonderful, dedicated, hardworking, funny, compassionate people who want to help others. I’ll always remember them.

Any plans for the future?

I’ve been approached with some exciting opportunities, but for now I’ll just rest up and clear my head. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when I don’t have to be “on” all the time.

And then…we’ll see where life leads me. I know that working 14-hour days is behind me.

What are you taking away from the Douglas?

Working closely with intelligent, passionate people has been a privilege. And working in mental health has taught me so much about myself and others. I will continue to lend a hand by volunteering

Any advice for your successor?

Just listen… There are a lot of knowledgeable, very good people at the Douglas, and the field is very complex. So just listen to the people around you.