Interior Health gets new CEO

Interior Health Board announces new CEO.

Interior Health.

Norman Embree, Board Chairman for Interior Health, today announced that Dr. Robert Halpenny has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Interior Health effective immediately.

Dr. Halpenny joined Interior Health in January 2007 as the Senior Medical Director. In that capacity, he was responsible for coordinating and directing medical staff and providing leadership for the medical directors and clinical issues throughout Interior Health. He has also acted as Interim CEO at Interior Health since January 1, 2010.

Dr. Halpenny completed his Family Practice Residency in 1982 after spending numerous clinical rotations in Kelowna and then setting up a practice in Vancouver. As the Vice President of Medicine at St. Vincent’s, he completed his Master’s Degree in Health Administration from the University of Colorado and then spent six years in Grand Junction Colorado as the VP Medicine at St. Mary’s Hospital. He returned to BC in 2002 as the VP Medicine for Fraser Health and then accepted the position of Provincial Executive Director Cardiac Services at the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). He presently sits on the Medical Services Commission.

“The Board is very pleased that Dr. Halpenny has agreed to take on the job and guide Interior Health through the challenges that will come our way in the coming years,” said Norman Embree. “With his background in clinical care and medical administration, I believe he is well poised to provide the leadership and maximize the key relationships needed to move IH through the next phase in the delivery of health services to Interior Health residents. I am also confident that Dr. Halpenny will provide guidance to the organization that is in concert with the expectations of the Ministry of Health Services.

The IH Board used an external firm to guide them through a rigorous search, beginning last summer, after Murray Ramsden announced his retirement as CEO to take effect at the end of 2009. Interior Health will now begin a search for a new Senior Medical Director.

Kelowna
January 15, 2010
Interior Health