CKHA announces the hiring of their new Chief Nursing Executive

Following an extensive national search process, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has announced the appointment of Meredith Whitehead to the position of Vice President, Transformation and Chief Nursing Executive effective August 16, 2021.

Hospital officials say Whitehead is a dynamic health care professional with over 15 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and over 10 of those years in progressive leadership roles in professional practice, operations and informatics.

Most recently, as the Chief Nursing Information Officer with the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, she led a collaborative clinical systems strategy for four hospital partners.

“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 Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA, in a media release.

“Her achievements demonstrate a commitment to patient centred 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.”

A graduate from Nipissing University and Canadore College Collaborative Program in North Bay in 2006, Whitehead completed her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing and then her Masters of Science in Nursing from York University in 2010.

Her international certifications in both change and project management will be invaluable to CKHA and the delivery of local health care.

“I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be joining the community and to be working and leading collaboratively at CKHA,” Whitehead said in a media release.

“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. It is without doubt I will have an excellent opportunity to grow even further under the leadership of Lori Marshall.”

Whitehead is also a former Executive Board Member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) and a current member of the Board of Directors of the Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa Northcott, Vice President, People and Chief Nursing Executive who will be retiring in August,” Marshall added.

“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.”

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