PFM Executive Search was pleased to undertake an international search for the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Digital Information Services & Innovation for Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). One of Canada’s largest and most progressive health systems gave our firm the mandate to identify a diverse group of well qualified senior level candidates who could simultaneously balance innovative, systems-thinking with pragmatic operational agility. PHSA has over 19,000 employees and an annual operating budget of close to $3 billion.
Selected through a thorough international recruitment process was Ron Quirk from PHSA who brings a deep 30-year understanding of the British Columbia healthcare landscape, positive relationships across multiple health authorities, and a proven track record in shaping large initiatives like the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) project.
In keeping with PHSA’s expanded mandate, Ron is tasked with working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and PHSA’s many stakeholders in navigating the complex and critical landscape of digital information systems and the opportunities that will shape the future of health care in our province. He will guide PHSA through the essential work of maximizing current investments in information technology and digital health across all health authorities to create a clear, actionable plan on what PHSA can achieve through collaborative planning and investment, on behalf of patients, their families and the authority’s own care providers.
Most recently, Ron has been serving as the Chief Information Officer for PHSA, as well as Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care. In his new leadership role, Ron will continue to have oversight for IMITS services, allowing for continuity on priority projects. He also retains IT-related leadership of the CST project, an initiative he was instrumental in resetting earlier this year, allowing all partners to start working with greater confidence towards clear “go live” dates.
Ron is passionate about his new role, which he sees as an opportunity to think, on a provincial level, of patient care as a continuous journey and not as a moment in time or as a series of isolated interventions. Drawing on both personal and professional experiences, Ron appreciates how fragmented the BC healthcare system – the IT systems supporting it – are today. He sees vast potential in better coordinating existing investments across the province and taking advantage of lessons learned, and in doing so, leap-frogging forward to a place where both patients and providers are equipped with the tools necessary for real “digital empowerment”.
PFM Executive Search congratulates Ron on his appointment as an EVP with PHSA during a critical time in the organization’s history.
PFM Executive Search is recognized as one of Canada’s premier executive search leaders and is known for its extensive work within the healthcare sector for the past 27-years. PFM has recruited senior leaders to major hospitals and healthcare authorities and has worked closely and collaboratively with Boards and Committees within Canadian healthcare. PFM takes pride in creating fair, open and transparent search processes within the sector as well as ensuring a focus on inclusivity and diversity in its acclaimed search methodology.