Interior Health has promoted from within in naming a new president and CEO.
Sylvia Weir, who was filling in as interim CEO after Susan Brown stepped down in June, will take over the job permanently, the health authority announced today. Weir was previously the organization’s chief financial officer.
“As we considered a full slate of candidates, it became clear that Sylvia brings the right mix of values-based leadership, vision and financial acumen to enable the efficient and effective delivery of front-line clinical services to support the achievement of IH’s vision,” IH board chair Dr. Robert Halpenny said in a prepared statement.
The health authority said she has more than 25 years in health care leadership in Canada and the United Kingdom.
As interim CEO, her leadership has “laid the foundation to better support positive working relationships with employees and medical staff, key government leaders and external partners,” the health authority said.
“She has further demonstrated her deep commitment to advancing reconciliation and working collaboratively with community partners by building strong relationships.”
In a news release, Weir said she was grateful for the opportunity serve in the role permanently.
“I am acutely aware of the challenges we collectively face both at IH and as a broader health-care sector, but I am confident through our continued focus on engagement, innovation, strategic partnerships and financial sustainability we will be able to maintain our commitment to delivering the highest quality and most effective care possible to communities,” she said.
As chief financial officer, Weir led IH’s finance and infrastructure teams. Her education includes a fellowship in health system improvement at the University of Alberta and project management certification through the UBC Sauder School of Business.
She has served for seven years as a board member of the Kelowna women’s shelter and as an immigrant employment mentor with the Kelowna Community Resources Centre. She is also a current board member of the provincial Healthcare Benefit Trust.
