Interim CEO announced for Eastern Health

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Kenneth Baird (pictured) has been appointed the interim chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority for a one-year period. He is currently vice president of quality, process improvement and clinical supports, and he brings extensive health executive experience to the position.

Mr. Baird steps into the role held by former president and CEO of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, David Diamond, who has been named the transitional CEO to lead the planning team that will be put in place for the establishment of one health authority for the province.

As announced in Budget 2022, the Provincial Government is moving forward with plans to establish a single health authority to create more consistency in healthcare throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as avoid duplication in associated corporate services such as human resources, payroll and finance. The four existing health authorities will be maintained during transition planning and operations will continue status quo.

“Mr. Baird is an experienced healthcare leader with over 40 years of clinical and administrative experience within the Canadian health system. I am confident in his leadership abilities to guide Eastern Health’s transition to a single health authority, and that, with his vision, Eastern Health will continue to advance its organizational priorities. The Eastern Health Board of Trustees would also like to express sincere gratitude to Mr. David Diamond, outgoing president and CEO, for his commitment and dedication to Eastern Health over the past several years,” said Leslie O’Reilly, chair of Eastern Health’s Board of Trustees.

Eastern Health is the largest, integrated health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador employing approximately 13,000 employees and more than 700 medical staff. Serving a population of over 300,000, Eastern Health’s geographic boundaries extend west from St. John’s to Port Blandford including all communities on the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas.

“I would like to welcome Mr. Baird in his new role as CEO of Eastern Health. His significant expertise and experience will be valuable assets for the health authority. I would also like to thank the outgoing CEO, Mr. David Diamond, for his service and wish him well in his new role as transitional CEO to lead the planning team for the establishment of one health authority for the province,” said John Haggie, minister of Health and Community Services.

For his part, Kenneth Baird joined the Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2016, bringing with him more than 40 years of experience. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Management from Athabasca University; a Certificate in Health Services Administration from the University of Saskatchewan; and a Diploma of X-ray Technology from College of the North Atlantic. He is a certified health executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and an EXTRA Fellow with the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation.