May 4, 2021
EDMONTON – The Alberta Health Services Board has extended Dr. Verna Yiu as the organization’s President and CEO for an additional two years, effective June 2, 2021.
“I am very pleased that Dr. Yiu will continue to serve as the organization’s President and CEO for an additional two years,” said AHS Board Chair David Weyant, K.C.
“Over the past five years, she has done an excellent job of providing stability to AHS when it was needed the most and has been extraordinarily supportive for all those working in health care. She is tirelessly leading this organization through a global pandemic with grace and resilience. We are grateful for Dr. Yiu’s commitment to Alberta Health Services and to all Albertans,” said Weyant.
Dr. Yiu was originally hired as Interim President and CEO of AHS in January 2016, followed by a five-year term starting in June 2016. Prior to that role, Dr. Yiu was the Vice President, Quality, and Chief Medical Officer at AHS. She is also a pediatric nephrologist and Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
“I am so proud of the entire team at AHS,” said Dr. Yiu. “I have long said that I have the best job in healthcare, and that is because of the incredible commitment, compassion and contributions of all the staff, physicians, volunteers, partners and most of all patients and families to advancing healthcare in Alberta. This past year has challenged health care workers like no other, and I am so grateful for the tireless work of everyone, and for the efforts of all Albertans to take care of one another during incredibly challenging circumstances.”
Dr. Yiu’s extension is for two years and can be further extended. Her annual salary is $573,841. Dr. Yiu’s contract will be posted publicly.
Dr. Verna Yiu is a longtime front-line care provider and healthcare administrator who currently serves as President and CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), Canada’s first and largest provincewide health system. She was recently ranked number two in the Medical Post’s 2021 Power List of physicians who have influence and impact in Canada.
Under her leadership, AHS has completed the rollout of the organization’s vision, values and four foundational strategies. Dr. Yiu helped oversee the development of the AHS Health Plan and Business Plan, which is a roadmap for AHS. Dr. Yiu believes healthcare is a people business and, as such, she continues to focus on strengthening relationships with AHS’ many partners, including government; academic institutions; health foundations; the AHS workforce; patients, clients and families; and communities across the province.
Dr. Yiu has overseen the development of Canada’s first provincewide clinical information system, called Connect Care, which is currently in the third wave of implementation. She is leading the organization into new frontiers of virtual care, and led the health care response to the Fort McMurray wildfires. Under her leadership, AHS has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for four consecutive years, and also recognized for its diversity and as a top employer for young people and within Alberta.
In her previous AHS role, Dr. Yiu served as Vice President, Quality and Chief Medical Officer between August 2012 and December 2015. She managed the integration and co-ordination of a diverse, complex, end-to-end health delivery model for the province through accountabilities for five functional areas: Quality & Healthcare Improvement, Strategic Clinical Networks, Clinical Informatics and Clinical Information Systems, Medical Affairs, and partnerships with academic institutions and other physician-led organizations.
Prior to joining AHS, Dr. Yiu served as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta and also held senior leadership positions in the dean’s office from 2000.
Dr. Yiu is a graduate of the University of Alberta (U of A) and Harvard University, and is currently a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology in the Faculty of Medicine/Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Yiu has also led various areas of health administration for more than 24 years, both within the healthcare delivery system and in academic settings.
