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CEO named to lead western health authority Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer and Dr. Tony Genge, chair, Western Regional Integrated Health Authority (RIHA) today named Susan Gillam as the new chief executive officer (CEO) to lead the Western RIHA. "I have always maintained that we have exemplary leadership capacity in our province and I�m confident that Ms. Gillam� s accomplishments and abilities will greatly benefit the incoming board throughout the transition to an integrated continuum of health services and into the future," said Minister Ottenheimer. Dr. Tony Genge, chair, Western RIHA, participated in the selection process along with representatives of the Department of Health and Community Services and the Public Service Commission. "Ms. Gillam�s commitment to meeting the health needs of the people of the Western region is impressive and her demonstrated experience will serve us well as we work to build better health services," added Dr. Genge. "The board and I are pleased to have her join us as we prepare to undertake new challenges." Ms. Gillam will assume her new responsibilities effective immediately. A resident of Corner Brook, Ms. Gillam is a registered nurse and holds a bachelor of nursing and master of nursing from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a master of science in administration from the University of Notre Dame and is currently a PhD candidate in nursing at McGill University. Over the past 15 years, Ms. Gillam has held a series of progressive senior management positions and is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Health Association and the provincial Primary Health Care Advisory Council. Since 2001, she has served as the CEO for Health and Community Services Western during a time when community-based services were furthered throughout the region. Ms. Gillam says she is particularly proud of the development of the primary health care project in the Bonne Bay area, the establishment of a Healthy Workplace initiative and a commitment to population health and improving the health status of residents. "It is my privilege to continue to serve the Western region to ensure we continue to deliver quality health and community-based care," enthused Ms. Gillam. "The integration of our health services is an exciting time and I�m looking forward to the opportunity of building new relationships and collectively working on behalf of all people in the Western region." Ms. Gillam will meet with the new board early February for their first board meeting. Existing CEOs will remain in place to continue with day-to-day operations until midnight of March 31, 2005 when the new regional integrated health authorities assume legal responsibility and the transfer of duties is complete. In the interim, all significant operational decisions will be made in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the new CEO. As government continues to complete the transition the Department of Health and Community Services will engage the new CEOs in beginning the strategic planning with the new health authorities and finalizing the mandates of the regional authorities. Incoming CEOs, in consultation with their boards, will focus on shaping senior teams and the administrative structure for the regions, strategic planning, transition agreements and budget preparation. On September 10, government announced the transformation of 14 provincial health boards to four regional integrated health authorities as a necessary step in renewing our health and community services system and meeting client needs. The new administrative structure will provide better co-ordination and planning for the health needs of regions and reduce duplication of services. It is expected that the CEO of the remaining region will be named shortly. Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093 2005 01 25 3:30 p.m. |
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