The Board of Directors at Quinte Health Care will soon be on the lookout for their next President and CEO.

With a goal to be retired by the end of Aug. 2020, Mary Clare Egberts, current President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of nearly 10 years at QHC announced her intention to retire later this year.

In a press release issued by QHC on Thursday, the hospital group announced Egberts will remain as President and CEO until a successful candidate is selected.

“We respect and support Mary Clare in her decision as she looks forward to the opportunity to spend more time with her family,” stated Stuart Wright, Board Chair, QHC. “We are indebted to Mary Clare for the vision, passion and expertise she brings to the role of President and CEO each and every day.”

In her last eight months at QHC, Egberts’ focus will include continued advocacy to secure the base funding adjustment needed for QHC hospitals, continuing to work with our partners in the development of Ontario Health Teams, and continuing to look for improvement opportunities that support exceptional patient care.

“The Quinte Health Care Board recognizes that effective and qualified leadership is absolutely essential to ensure our four hospitals continue to deliver the high quality of care patients deserve,” Mr. Wright added.

During her tenure, Egberts oversaw some calm waters and primarily stormy seas at QHC as infrastructure decay, consistent health care funding formula changes by the Ministry of Health and changes in the volume and scope of patient care in the Quinte area shifted and altered over the past decade.

Locally, Egberts championed the case for a redeveloped Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital and was key in QHC designating the project as the number one capital priority of the hospital group.

“Our Foundation has benefitted greatly from the partnership with QHC, which has evolved over the past 10 years. The redevelopment of Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital has been identified as a top priority for QHC under Mary Clare’s leadership,” Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director Shannon Coull told the Gazette. “Her unwavering commitment to this project has enabled us to be where we are today in the planning process. Our Foundation is grateful for her leadership and advocacy for the important work our hospital staff and our Foundation does on a daily basis. Her retirement is much deserved and I wish Mary Clare and her family all the best. I know we will continue to benefit from her experience and commitment to our new hospital as we transition to the new CEO.”

The QHC Board will be engaging an executive recruitment firm to conduct the search for a new President and CEO. The recruitment process is expected to take six to eight months.

For more information please visit www.qhc.on.ca