The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance will soon have a new chief nursing executive and vice president of transformation on its senior leadership team.
Meredith Whitehead will be taking over the positions on August 16, 2021.
According to the hospital's CEO and present, Lori Marshall, Whitehead was selected following an extensive national search process.
"I am thrilled to welcome Ms. Whitehead to our senior leadership team where she will take on the new role of vice president, transformation and chief nursing executive," said Marshall. "Her achievements demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care, advancing evidence-informed practice and building relationships. I know her skills and knowledge will be a great asset to CKHA as we embark on our next steps as an organization."
Whitehead graduated from the Nipissing University and Canadore College Collaborative Program in North Bay in 2006 before completing her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing and then her Masters of Science in Nursing from York University in 2010.
Marshall said Whitehead's international certifications in both change and project management will be a valuable asset to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the delivery of local health care.
Whitehead is also a former executive board member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and a current member of the Board of Directors of the Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario.
"I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be joining the community and to be working and leading collaboratively at CKHA," said Whitehead. "I am excited to bring my experience to the organization and equally delighted to build new and excellent relationships. I value the importance of collaborating with every level of the team at CKHA including both internal and external community partners."
Whitehead will be replacing Vice President, People and Chief Nursing Executive Lisa Northcott upon her retirement this summer.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa Northcott... who will be retiring in August," Marshall said. "She has provided exceptional leadership to us over the years and will be dearly missed. We extend our gratitude to Ms. Northcott for her remarkable 34 years of service to CKHA and the community."