Prime Highlights:
- Sylvia Weir has been appointed as the permanent CEO of Interior Health, bringing experience in finance, infrastructure, and partnerships within the health authority.
- She aims to rebuild trust and confidence in the healthcare system while addressing ongoing challenges like staffing shortages and service disruptions.
Key Facts:
- Weir served as interim CEO since June before being named permanent CEO.
- One of the main issues Interior Health faces is a shortage of healthcare staff, affecting hospitals and emergency services across the Southern Interior.
Key Background:
Interior Health has named Sylvia Weir as its new permanent Chief Executive Officer, after serving as interim CEO since June. She takes over from Susan Brown and brings experience in finance, infrastructure, and partnerships within the health authority.
Excited about her new role, Weir said, “I’m really excited to take on the opportunity on a permanent basis.” She is focused on connecting with communities, doctors, and staff across the Southern Interior, while acknowledging that challenges lie ahead.
“There are challenges, no doubt about it,” she said, pointing to staffing shortages, service disruptions, and the need to rebuild public trust. Despite these problems, Weir is hopeful and sees her role as a way to rebuild trust in the healthcare system.
A major challenge she faces is the ongoing shortage of healthcare staff. This summer, Kelowna General Hospital’s pediatric unit was temporarily closed due to staffing gaps, a problem also affecting maternity care. To address this, Weir announced the rollout of a new mat-child-youth program, which aims to strengthen care for mothers, babies, and young people, including support for youth mental health.
Weir also noted that physician shortages continue to impact emergency departments throughout the region. She has begun collaborating with local mayors to design recruitment strategies tailored to each community’s needs. “What’s the model that works for you? What do you want to tell potential recruits about your community?” she said, describing her localized approach.
Frontline healthcare workers have voiced ongoing concerns about burnout and workplace safety issues, Weir says, are among her top priorities. “I’m very aware of those challenges,” she said. “Safety, especially in high-pressure departments, will be top of mind moving forward.”
Community advocates believe her leadership could mark a turning point for Interior Health. Weir, for her part, is determined to rebuild trust and restore confidence in the organization, signaling a new era of collaboration and reform for the region’s healthcare system.
Read Also : Vera Coelho Named Executive Director to Lead Oceana’s European Initiatives
