The head of Chatham-Kent’s hospital is looking back fondly on her tenure as she approaches her planned retirement.
Lori Marshall announced on Wednesday that she will be calling it a career this summer following 39 years in the healthcare field, the past seven of which were spent leading the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance as president and CEO.
“Serving as CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has truly been the honour of my career. This is a community that I love and a hospital that I love,” she said. “I am thankful to everyone at CKHA who has made me a better CEO. I have learned from every interaction I’ve had with staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, family members, and members of the community… I am a reflection of everyone in Chatham-Kent.”
Marshall said the timing of her retirement feels right and that it’s time for someone new to lead the organization.
“I have my health, I have my family and for me it was time. The organization is in a great place right now and to me, that is the best time for us to be thinking about the future,” she said.
Marshall added that she intends to remain in the community following her departure as president and CEO.
“The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance will continue to be my community hospital and that of my family. So I will have an ongoing interest in the hospital,” she said. “I will watch it and be its greatest cheerleader.”
CKHA Board Chair Deb Crawford added that Marshall’s retirement is well deserved and finding her replacement will be a big job for the board of directors.
“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to have that process completed by the time Lori is retiring,” said Crawford. “We’ll have to work with our candidates to try to ensure the changeover works as effectively and smoothly as possible.”
CKHA’s Board of Directors has established a CEO Selection Committee to oversee the recruitment process for Marshall’s replacement. An exact date for her departure has yet to be announced.
