WRHA selects Mike Nader as new CEO

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s board of directors is pleased to announce Mike Nader (pictured) has been chosen as the organization’s new President and CEO. He will take over from Vickie Kaminski, who was hired as WRHA President and CEO in late 2019 on an 18-month term, and will remain in her position until May 27, 2021, during which time she will assist with Mr. Nader’s transition to his new role.

Mr. Nader, who will begin his new role with the WRHA on May 17, 2021, brings more than 30 years of healthcare operations experience to the position.

He has served in numerous executive management roles with public healthcare systems in British Columbia and Ontario. Most recently, he served as the Chief Transformation Officer at Ontario Health, with responsibility for leading the transition of 20 provincial agencies and local health integration networks into a single provincial agency.

“I want to welcome Mike Nader to this important role in Manitoba’s healthcare system,” said Minister of Health and Seniors Care Heather Stefanson. “I know that, under Mr. Nader’s leadership, the WRHA will continue to demonstrate their steadfast commitment to protecting the health of Manitobans, especially as we navigate the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.”

“I am very excited to be joining the thousands of dedicated healthcare professionals in the Winnipeg Health Region,” said Mr. Nader. “I know that we share a desire to put people first by supporting our teams to work in the safest environment and deliver excellent care to those we serve. As we continue to evolve as a service delivery organization, coupled with promoting healthy lives in healthy communities, we will be able to consistently provide the highest quality care in the most sustainable manner for everyone our region serves.”

During his time with Ontario Health, Mr. Nader was on secondment from the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, where he served as the Executive Vice-President, Clinical Support and Performance. Prior to this role, he served as Chief Operating Officer at UHN, with responsibility for the clinical operations at Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

Mr. Nader also served several years in executive leadership positions with healthcare organizations in BC, including as Chief Operating Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health. He holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Arts in Healthcare Leadership and Training.

“We are excited to have Mike joining us to lead our continued development as a service delivery organization, together ensuring we provide safe, high quality and sustainable healthcare to all we serve,” said WRHA board chair Pat Solman. “This past year has been an unprecedented period for all of us, including within our healthcare system, and as chair of the WRHA Board of Directors, I would like to thank our outgoing CEO Vickie Kaminski for her unflinching leadership and for her steady hand at the wheel during this extraordinary time.”