The search remains ongoing to hire a new president and CEO at Chatham-Kent’s hospital.
Three months into the search for new leadership, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Board of Directors has completed its community and staff consultation process, providing the CEO Selection Committee with guidelines to follow moving forward.
CKHA’s current President and CEO Lori Marshall announced her retirement in early March and will leave the position this summer. An exact date for her retirement has yet to be announced.
The hospital has employed outside recruitment firm Mirams Becker to lead the recruitment process for Marshall’s replacement. An online survey was also conducted for two weeks in April, which asked community members to list the most important attributes they’d like to see in CKHA’s next president and CEO.
The survey received close to 200 responses.
“[They] want someone who has real dedication to our hospital, who is a trusted person, a person who is transparent and is a very effective communicator,” said CKHA Board Chair Deb Crawford. “They’re looking for someone who is a people person, a person who is able to solve complex problems and work within a very complex organization.”
Crawford said it’s important for the CEO to understand each role that employees have in the hospital and to show innovation.
“There is a recognition across the community, and I think across the province and the country, that hospitals are adapting and have to be innovative,” said Crawford.
While no dates have been set, Crawford said it will be a seamless transition as the new president and chief executive comes on board.
“Whatever happens in terms of timelines, we’ll make it work,” she said. “We will have leadership at the hospital, regardless of how this process goes.”
Hospital officials said they hope to complete the recruitment process by the end of June.