April 4, 2022
CALGARY – The Alberta Health Services Board today announced the departure of Dr. Verna Yiu and the launch of a search process for a new President and CEO as the healthcare system shifts to pandemic recovery and renewal.
"We are very grateful for Dr. Yiu’s tireless leadership through the worst days of the pandemic, and we thank her for her years of dedicated service and commitment to AHS and to Albertans," said Board Chair Gregory Turnbull, KC. "We have been planning for an orderly transition."
"I have had the extraordinary privilege to lead Alberta Health Services for the past six plus years," said Dr. Yiu. "I would like to thank all staff, physicians and volunteers for their steadfast care of Albertans and their ability to put patients and families first, particularly as we have navigated through the past two pandemic years. I took on this role in 2016 because I saw an opportunity to further solidify culture, teamwork, and excellence within the organization. I believed that we could develop better relationships with our patients and families, and with Alberta communities. I am so proud and grateful for all AHS team members as well as our advisory groups and councils, and all the foundations who support AHS."
The AHS Board will appoint an interim President and CEO shortly to ensure the organization has leadership and stability. A search committee was formed several months ago, and the group has started a search process. The Board has asked Mauro Chies, Vice President, Cancer Care Alberta and Clinical Support Services, to serve in the role of interim CEO on a temporary basis.
"AHS team members have worked incredibly hard through extreme challenges over the past two years," said Turnbull. "I’m amazed at their resilience and ability to provide quality care to Albertans every single day. There has always been a plan to transition leadership, and on behalf of the Board, we thank Dr. Yiu, her leadership team, and every AHS employee. We are excited about the future, and in particular we look forward to delivering on key priorities such as the expansion of surgical and acute care services, continuing care, the EMS improvement plan, enhanced mental health programs and services, and workforce recruitment and retention."
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
