The Provincial Government has appointed five new members to the Central Regional Health Authority Board of Trustees. Effective October 18, 2019, Maisie Clarke, David Oxford, Hector Pearce, Jennifer Whelan and Judy White are appointed for three-year terms.

These appointments were recommended by the Independent Appointments Commission, which is an independent body established by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide merit-based recommendations for appointments.

Biographical information for the new members can be found in the backgrounder below.

Central Health provides services to a population of approximately 94,000 people in 177 communities. The region extends from Charlottetown in the east, Fogo Island in the north, Harbour Breton in the south, to the Baie Verte Peninsula in the west.

Quotes
“The Department of Health and Community Services is extremely pleased to welcome five new community leaders to Central Health’s Board of Trustees. Each member brings experiences that are crucial to helping the health authority achieve its mandate of providing quality services to the region. Thank you for your willingness to serve.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“We are pleased to welcome our newest Board members. Their addition will help to strengthen the oversight and governance of Central Health. Together, they bring unique talents and perspectives to our Board, and we look forward to working together in the coming years.”
Don Sturge
Chair, Board of Trustees
Central Health

“On behalf of everyone at Central Health, I am pleased to welcome the newest members of our Board of Trustees. As Trustees, they will play an integral role in guiding the organization. We welcome their insights, experience and contributions as we continuously work towards our goal of Healthy People, Healthy Communities.”
Andree Robichaud, President and CEO
Central Health

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Learn more
Central Health

Independent Appointments Commission

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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 709-699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca

Gayle St. Croix
Central Health
709-572-1165
gayle.stcroix@centralhealth.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies for new members appointed to the Central Health Regional Health Board

Maisie Clark
Maisie Clark has been the Mayor of the Town of Campbellton since 2001. She is a former teacher who has worked in Newfoundland and Labrador and Northern Manitoba. As a dedicated volunteer, Ms. Clark has served on numerous Boards, such as the Lewisporte Area Economic Development Committee, the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, and as President of the Lewisporte Area Chamber of Commerce.

David Oxford
David Oxford has been a registered social worker in Newfoundland and Labrador since October 2003. He has worked in child protection, foster care and youth corrections. He currently works with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Mr. Oxford  serves on the Regional Appeals Board-Central, for the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, is Vice-president of the Grand Falls-Windsor Lions Club, and a member of the a Grand Falls-Windsor Kiwanis Club. He is also a child/youth leader with the Salvation Army. Mr. Oxford is a former councillor with the Town of Gambo a Town of Gambo Councillor, former Trustee with the Nova-Central School District former Chairperson of the Dover and Area Community Family Coalition. He has a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from University of Manitoba.

Hector Pearce
Hector Pearce, now retired, spent all of his working career in Newfoundland and Labrador, as a teacher, vice-principal, educational psychologist, program co-ordinator and assistant superintendent, with the Notre Dame Integrated School Board. He also taught psychology at the first year university level. Mr. Pearce completed his undergraduate degrees at Memorial University, and a Masters degree from the University of Ottawa. In 1991 he became a registered psychologist, and has received numerous awards for volunteer work, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal Award.

Jennifer Whelan
A resident of the Baie Verte Peninsula, Jennifer Whelan is the Executive Director of the Emerald Community Business Development Corporation. She has over 11 years of professional experience with the non-profit organization, which provides financial and technical services to entrepreneurs in the creation of small businesses. Ms. Whelan contributes to the non-profit sector through professional and philanthropic endeavors, and has been recognized for her dedication and leadership. She has a diploma in Office Administration Executive from College of the North Atlantic, where she received the Academic Excellence and Governor General’s Awards.

Judy White
Judy White is a Mi’kmaq grandmother and member of the Flat Bay Band. She currently resides in Conne River. Ms White holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University Law School, with an emphasis on Aboriginal law. She has also completed the Intensive Program of Lands, Resources and First Nations Government at Osgoode Hall Law School. In March 2018, Ms. White was appointed Queen’s Counsel. She has completed an Indigenous certificate program in Leading Peoples and Investing in Sustaining Communities, from Harvard Business School, as well as the Chartered Directors Program at McMaster University. Ms. White is a former Chief Executive Officer with the Assembly of First Nations, and a partner with the Conne River law firm of McDonald White, which specializes in aboriginal law, and is a former Self Government Advisor for Miawpukek First Nation, and Policy and Planning Specialist for Women’s Policy Office on Aboriginal Women’s Issues. Her board and governance experience cross many groups and agencies, including the National Centre for First Nations Governance, the First Nations Statistical Institute, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and the Board of Regents for Memorial University. Ms. White is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister with the Intergovernmental and Indigenous Affairs Secretariat, with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.