The Northern Health Board has appointed Cathy Ulrich as the new president and chief executive officer of Northern Health, effective June 15, 2007.

“In recruiting our new CEO, the Board’s goal was to select a strong leader who would engage Northern Health’s capable staff and maintain and build upon our partnership with Northern physicians. We want to ensure that we strengthen our open relationship with Northern communities, and enhance on-going efforts with our many partners to build better health services across Northern British Columbia,” said Jeff Burghardt, chair of the NH Board. “We’re confident that Cathy will provide exceptional leadership as Northern Health continues to develop.”

Ms. Ulrich brings a wide range of experience and strong academic qualifications to the CEO’s position. She has spent the majority of her career in rural and northern locations where she gained a solid understanding of the nature of rural and northern communities, their health needs and concerns, and the unique approaches required to meet these needs.

As Northern Health’s vice-president of clinical services and chief nursing officer since 2002, Ms. Ulrich has a proven track record of successfully garnering and engaging resources specifically for rural and northern initiatives. She has also been actively engaged in health services research, teaching and graduate student support.

”I believe Northern Health is well positioned to be a provincial and national leader in the delivery of high quality health care services to rural and northern populations. I look forward to leading the implementation of Northern Health’s strategic directions and working with our many partners to develop creative and innovative solutions that will ensure a sustainable system of health services in the North,” said Ms. Ulrich.

Ms. Ulrich replaces Malcolm Maxwell, who is leaving Northern Health for a position at a hospital in Ontario.