Island Health Board announces new CEO
VICTORIA – Leah Hollins, Chair of the Island Health Board of Directors, is pleased to announce that Ms. Kathy MacNeil has been appointed President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
“With a wealth of health system experience; an in-depth knowledge of Island Health, its residents, and communities; a passion for people-centred health and care; and a commitment to leaning into difficult and challenging situations, Ms. MacNeil is the right person, in the right place, at the right time to lead Island Health into the future,” said Leah Hollins. “Over the past several months as Interim President & CEO, Kathy has fully demonstrated these and many other critical leadership traits that are needed to work in partnership to take advantage of health system opportunities, address system challenges, and fulfill the objectives set for Island Health by the Board of Directors and the Government of British Columbia.”
“Kathy brings to this role leadership skills gained from many years of experience in various roles at Island Health, as well as the broader health system. I have had the opportunity to see first-hand Kathy’s strengths in her time as interim president and CEO and to witness her commitment to improving health care for Island Health residents,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “I look forward to working closely with Kathy and the Island Health team as we focus on our priorities for the health-care system, including strengthening supports for seniors, improving access to team-based care and supporting rural health services.”
Ms. MacNeil joined Island Health in 2015 as Executive Vice President – Quality, Safety and Experience. In this role Kathy engaged patients and families as partners in health and care alongside volunteers, employees and physicians to foster a patient and family centred culture, promotes learning and collaboration, and rewards courageous innovation.
Kathy previously served with the Capital Health Region in Halifax where she was Vice-President of People beginning in 2008. She holds a Master of Arts in Leadership (Health Specialization) from Royal Roads University, and a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. She is also a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Last summer, Island Health President & CEO Dr. Brendan Carr resigned from Island Health to take the CEO position at the William Osler Health System in Ontario. At that time the Board of Directors appointed Ms. MacNeil to the Interim President and CEO role while undertaking a nation-wide recruitment process to fill the position on a permanent basis. That process concluded in early February.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be selected by the Board of Directors to serve Island Health as President & CEO working with and leading a team of almost 28,000 staff, physicians and
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volunteers in ensuring we fulfill our vision of excellent health and care for everyone, everywhere, every time,” said MacNeil. “Each and every day I am excited about the possibilities for Island Health working with our many partners to improve the health and care of our population, and I am committed to improving the health-care system through working better together.”
Island Health, one of six health jurisdictions in British Columbia, provides health care and support services to more than 765,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River.
With more than 20,000 staff, 1,900 physician partners, 6,000 volunteers, and the dedicated support of foundations and auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and addictions services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge, geographically diverse region.
