New interim CEO appointed at PHSA

VANCOUVER – The board of directors at the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) determined that new leadership was required and announced that CEO Benoit Morin has left the organization. The board said that Dr. David Byres (pictured) has been appointed as interim CEO, effective immediately.

Dr. David Byres was most recently Associate Deputy Minister, Clinical Leadership for the Ministry of Health. David has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Bachelor and Masters of Science degree in Nursing, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. David brings with him more than 25 years of clinical experience as well as significant management expertise to the role.

Dr. Byres will provide strong leadership as the PHSA looks to hire a new CEO to ensure that British Columbians have the utmost confidence in their health care system.

In his career, Dr. Byres has ministry of health experience, including work with primary care, pharmaceutical, lab and blood services, specialized services (including surgery, diagnostic imaging, frail and vulnerable adults and mental health and addictions), population and public health, health sector workforce and beneficiary services, partnerships and innovation and the office of Indigenous health.

He is currently a co-principal investigator on a study examining a health equity intervention framework for Indigenous people in British Columbia’s emergency departments.

He has over 25 years of experience in the health sector; including as executive vice president for Providence Health Care with previous responsibility for acute care, professional practice and clinical integration.

He was previously appointed as chief nurse executive for the Ministry of Health leading nursing and practice initiatives.

David has a doctorate in nursing practice from American Sentinel University, October 2016. His bachelor of arts degree is in psychology, from the University of Victoria. He did bachelor and masters of science degrees in nursing at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

He is an adjunct professor with the school of nursing at UBC and adjunct assistant professor with the school of nursing at the University of Victoria. He is also a certified health executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.