New Members Appointed to North West LHIN Board of Directors
The Public Appointments Secretariat of the Province of Ontario, through Order-in-Council, has appointed three new members to the North West Local Health Integration Network’s Board of Directors.
Appointed on March 18, 2015, for a three-year term, is Darryl Allan, a member of the Northwest Angle No. 37 First Nations, who was born and lives in Fort Frances. A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Allan’s interest in health care administration dates back to 1985, when he served on a committee that was involved in examining alternate models for improving services and funding for the LaVerendrye Hospital. He says he is excited and proud to continue the work of the North West LHIN Board of Directors. “This is an interesting and important time in health care,” said Allan. “There is still work to be done to improve the way we deliver services, and I would also like to see all residents of Northern Ontario empowered to advocate for their own care and take better control of their health.”
Appointed on March 25, 2015, for a three-year term, is Timothy Berube, a resident of Thunder Bay who obtained a Master of Science from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Australia, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Lakehead University. He welcomes the opportunity to work with other Board members in trying to find the efficiencies and synergies necessary to transform the health care system in Northwestern Ontario. Berube looks forward to his new appointment saying, “We have a lot of challenges in health care right now. We have to conserve and manage our resources, while still delivering first class services. Health system transformation can be done, but it’s going to take patience, and it’s going to take work.”
Also appointed on March 25, 2015, for a three-year term, is Herbert ZoBell, a resident of Thunder Bay who has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Lethbridge, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. He has worked as a consultant for several First Nations in Alberta, served on various aboriginal boards and committees in Northern Ontario, and is presently a Regional Director and Senior Commercial Account Manager, Aboriginal Markets, within the banking sector. He says that while banking and health care are completely different types of services, they both involve understanding and meeting the needs of people in their communities. When asked about why he wanted to serve as a member of the North West LHIN Board of Directors, ZoBell said, “I believe in giving back to my community, and serving on the LHIN Board is a great opportunity for me to do that. Northwestern Ontario is a big place, with a lot of remote communities, where opportunity exists to ensure that residents have better access to quality health care. It’s about improving health outcomes for all residents.”
Joy Warkentin, Chair of the North West LHIN Board of Directors, is excited about these new appointments: “We have added three diverse individuals to the Board, each of whom bring a vast range of expertise and backgrounds, yet are united in their passion for health care here in Northwestern Ontario. These are exciting times as we enter the third year of the current Integrated Health Services Plan, and embark on year four of the Health Services Blueprint. We are committed to putting people first in the decisions that we make as we transform the delivery of health care in our region.”
QUICK FACTS
Currently, the Board of Directors is comprised of: Cathy Farrell (Thunder Bay), Tina Copenace (Kenora), Dennis Gushulak (Ear Falls), Dan Levesque (Geraldton), Gil Labine (Thunder Bay), Darryl Allan (Fort Frances), Tim Berube (Thunder Bay), Herb ZoBell (Thunder Bay) and Joy Warkentin (Thunder Bay).
The Board of Directors is accountable, through the Chair, to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care for the LHIN’s use of public funds, and for its results in terms of goals and performance of the local health system.
Board members possess relevant expertise, experience, leadership skills, and have an understanding of local health issues, needs and priorities.
Directors are appointed by Order-In-Council for a term of one to three years, subject to a six-year maximum.
LEARN MORE
For more information on the North West LHIN, please visit our website: www.northwestlhin.on.ca.
The North West LHIN is responsible for planning, integrating and funding local health services – hospitals, long-term care facilities, the Community Care Access Centre, community health centres, community support services and mental health and addictions agencies. The North West LHIN and its Board of Directors are responsible for more than $600 million of health care services delivered in Northwestern Ontario.
