Ballem appointed chair of Vancouver Coastal Health

VANCOUVER – Dr. Penny Ballem (pictured) has been appointed chair of the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Authority. Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, said Dr. Ballem “ranks among the foremost figures in public policy and healthcare in B.C and the country. Other provinces and the federal government alike seek out her policy advice on key issues and initiatives.”

Dr. Ballem is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She has had a 35-year career as a health leader and academic clinician in British Columbia.

She served as the B.C. deputy minister of health from 2001-06. She also served as the city manager for the City of Vancouver from 2008-15. She has extensive board experience, having served on public sector, non-profit and private sector boards.

Dr. Ballem has received significant public recognition for her work in medicine and public service, including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Public Service, the 2012 Wallace Wilson Award for leadership, the Marion Powell Award from Women’s College Hospital for leadership in Women’s Health, the Cannell Award from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada for her contributions to leadership in reproductive health and others. She advises governments across Canada on health policy, health systems and health human resources.

“Along with her considerable experience, Dr. Ballem’s tenure at VCH will also benefit from a strong hand off from outgoing chair Kip Woodward,” said Dix. “I want to thank Kip for his eight years of leadership and dedication at VCH, and before that as chair of Providence Health. He has played an instrumental role over the past 12 years, especially during times of transition. I am personally thankful and appreciative of his assistance and look forward to working with him in the future on new projects.”

In addition to Dr. Ballem’s appointment, Tim Manning’s term as chair of the Provincial Health Services Authority has been extended to 2020.

New members appointed to health authority boards include: Allan Louis and Karen Hamling to Interior Health; Wilfred (Wilf) Adam, Patricia Sterritt and John Kurjata to Northern Health; Marilyn Slett to the Vancouver Coastal Health board; Sandra Harris, Donisa Bernardo and Dr. Kerry Jang to the Provincial Health Services and the British Columbia Emergency Health Services boards; Joanne Mills and Manpreet Grewal to Fraser Health; Alana Nast and Fred Pattje to the Island Health board.