New CEO at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare

HUNTSVILLE, Ont. – The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Cheryl Harrison (pictured) as president and chief executive officer at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) effective May 30, 2022.

Cheryl is an experienced senior executive with a progressive track record of roles in healthcare in large- and medium-sized community hospitals, most recently at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) where she served as the executive vice-president of Patient Programs & People Strategy.

“Cheryl is a values-based, action-oriented leader with 30 years of senior executive experience that is reinforced by professional qualities that match the Board’s identified priorities for MAHC’s leadership,” said Board Chair Cameron Renwick.

“She has a reputation for building strong teams, a passion for delivering high-quality care, excellent interpersonal skills, and many leadership successes both internally and externally. Cheryl’s keenness to partner with Board Directors to engage their individual strengths at the Board table is encouraging to our collective objective to further safe, high-quality, integrated care in Muskoka.”

A registered nurse by background, Cheryl holds a Masters of Health Science in Health Administration and has earned the Certified Health Executive designation.

As part of the OSMH senior leadership team in various capacities since July 2008, she has led a variety of regional programs and services in North Simcoe Muskoka, and was a key member of the hospital’s pandemic response command team. Her comprehensive experience at Ontario hospitals has provided her with a broad understanding of the healthcare system, and the challenges that changes may bring while guiding MAHC into the future.

“In her interviews, Cheryl imparted her vision of exemplary healthcare, delivered in a rural setting by a valuable and knowledgeable MAHC team,” said Board Vice Chair Moreen Miller and Chair of the Board’s President & CEO Search Committee. “We were impressed with her excellent communication skills, and her understanding of the importance of continuing to deliver consistent, high-quality healthcare in the region and the value of working collaboratively with the MAHC team, which she is already familiar with, and the board of directors.”

Harrison says she is grateful for the opportunity to become part of the MAHC team and looks forward to getting to know the team and working alongside the community to continue delivering quality healthcare to area residents and beyond.

“The last two years of the pandemic has tremendously impacted health care services and I am looking forward to working with MAHC and the community to recover, revitalize and recalibrate,” said Harrison.

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) provides emergency healthcare services and inpatient care at two hospital sites in Huntsville and Bracebridge. Patient care is also supported through a number of outpatient programs at both hospital sites and at the Almaguin Highlands Health Centre in Burk’s Falls.

With a budget over $86 million, employing nearly 700 people, over 300 volunteers and approximately 85 active physicians, MAHC services more than 60,000 Muskoka residents and a portion of the East Parry Sound population. In the summer months, the population more than doubles with seasonal residents in cottage country who also rely on the hospital sites.