Search for new CEO of WRHA extended six more months

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This article was published 15/01/2018 (2291 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The launch of the new provincial health organization has delayed the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s search for a new chief executive officer.

Réal Cloutier stepped into the CEO and president role on an interim basis last June when the WRHA parted ways with Milton Sussman after nearly two years. Despite initial expectations that he would only be in the role until December, WRHA board chair Karen Dunlop said Cloutier’s six-month contract was extended last month in large part to work with Shared Health.

Shared Health is expected to launch in early April as a new provincial organization that will centralize numerous clinical and administrative tasks, in addition to taking control of the Health Sciences Centre.

“As we worked with Shared Heath to integrate the existing (regional health authority) structure into Shared Health’s mandate, the board felt the input and experience Réal brought to the table were incredibly valuable,” Dunlop said in a statement.

The search for Sussman’s successor is expected to take six more months, she said.

Cloutier’s contract has been extended until then, which Dunlop said will allow the region to finish its national search. Whoever takes on the role permanently will helm a scaled back health authority following Shared Health’s launch.

“It is incumbent on the board to ensure the search for this role is robust and comprehensive,” Dunlop said. “The board is grateful for Réal’s leadership during this period of transition and change.”

Sussman’s June exit coincided with the departure of the region’s chief medical officer, Dr. Brock Wright, to lead Shared Health. Wright’s role has since been filled by Dr. Bruce Roe.

jane.gerster@freepress.mb.ca