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For: PFM Executive Search

Ron Quirk – EVP, Digital Information Services & Innovation for Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)

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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.

Heather Cummings – Vice President, Student Experience for Camosun College

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce the appointment of Heather Cummings at Camosun College as Vice President, Student Experience.

Heather comes to Camosun from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario where she has served as the Executive Director of Student Success since 2010.

Heather holds a BA in Commerce from the University of Guelph, a Masters in Education in Student Services from Oregon State, and a PhD in Philosophy from Indiana University in Higher Education Administration. Her educational research has focused on graduate student satisfaction and student financial aid, specifically the impact of student debt on educational and career decision-making.

At Fanshawe College, Heather was responsible for a range of student support services from prospective students through to graduates. Her work there focused on leading strategically in the areas of Counselling and Accessibility Services, Athletics and Recreation, Learning Centre, First Nations Centre, as well as a brand new $25 million Student Wellness Centre and comprehensive student mental health services.

Prior to her position at Fanshawe, she served as Director of Student Experience at Alberta College of Art and Design, Associate Director of Student Experience at the University of Calgary and Coordinator of Transitional Programs at the University of Western Ontario.

As Camosun’s VP of Student Experience, Heather will lead the student support areas of the Registrar’s and Student Affairs offices, Learning Services (including Library and Centre for Teaching and Learning), as well as Applied Learning, Co-operative Education and Student Employment Services.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27 years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Irlanda Price – Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs for Vancouver Island University

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PFM Executive Search Attracts Progressive Student Affairs Leader to Vancouver Island University

PFM Executive Search is pleased to welcome Irlanda Price to Vancouver Island University (VIU) in the capacity of Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs. As the chief student affairs officer for the University, Irlanda holds responsibility for managing programs and services that enhance student health and wellness to support student engagement, retention and success. She has oversight of Student Services, Student Engagement and Athletics and Recreation.

Irlanda most recently served as Associate Vice-President of Student Development at Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat, Alberta. In this role, she was responsible for developing the campus life experience and creating a positive learning environment for students. Prior to this appointment, she worked at Coast Mountain College (formerly Northwest Community College) in Terrace and Kitimat/Kitamaat where her roles included Educational Advisor, Campus Manager and Manager of Student Development.

A trained social worker, Irlanda has led several major campus initiatives resulting in improved access for under-represented and diverse groups. These initiatives include a Strategic Enrolment Management plan, the creation of the Indigenous Student Support Centre and establishing several bursaries to increase student retention.

Irlanda is a regular conference presenter and author, using her expertise to address the subjects of strategic enrolment management, approaches to internationalization and reviewing institutional policies and process via a LGBTQ2S+ safety lens. She is an experienced Chamber of Commerce Director, a past director with the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, an executive committee member for 100 Women Who Care, and a faculty mentor for “Women Honouring Other Women, an appreciative leadership gathering for women leaders in academia.

Irlanda received her Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on Rural, Remote Leadership and her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Northern British Columbia. Reporting to VIU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic, Irlanda will cultivate and coordinate institutional structures and programs to ensure VIU delivers an exceptional student experience where all students can realize their full potential.

Irlanda brings a strong passion for education, partnerships, community development and diversification to her new role. PFM Executive Search conducted a national recruitment for the role of AVP Student Affairs at VIU.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a national leader in recruiting senior officials to progressive post-secondary institutions. Our firm is known for creating an inclusive and transparent facilitation procedure with stakeholders and partner groups, ensuring a fair and open selection process that brings forward a diverse slate of qualified candidates for senior academic and non-academic roles.

Braden Smith – Chief Administrative Officer for Tsawwassen First Nation

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PFM Executive Search is proud to announce the appointment of Braden Smith to the position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN).

Reporting to the Chief and responsible to Executive Council, Braden brings a wealth of government leadership experience from his roles as CAO for the District of Tofino, and more recently as Chief City Planner for the City of Winnipeg.

He has worked with First Nations communities in all of his government roles and, through his direction, is proud of relationships both built and repaired.

Braden’s background as a land use planning leader and local government public servant, combined with his Master’s Degrees in Urban and Rural Planning, provides the sort of strong leadership necessary to implement the vision of the Chief and Executive Council. TFN looks forward to his assistance in pursuing their goals for the organization and the Nation as a whole.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27 years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

PFM Team Hosts Shoreline Clean Up

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PFM Executive Search strives to make an impact at the community level by supporting a diversity of organizations that make a difference. In August 2019, as part of our Summer Social Impact Initiative, the PFM staff partnered with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup to host a workplace cleanup at Devonian Harbour Park to make it a little cleaner and greener. Devonian Harbour Park is nestled between Stanley Park and Coal Harbour and offers many peaceful seating areas. It is very much enjoyed by both locals and tourists.

PFM staff, children, and significant others were delighted to contribute to the beautification of an area so close to our homes. At the end of the cleanup, we were proud to have picked up 13 pounds of trash, including items such as cigarette butts, coffee cups and lots of little pieces of paper and plastic, which could have easily ended up in our waterways.

The Great Canadian Shoreline cleanup started in 1994 when Vancouver Aquarium employees and volunteers decided to protect the city’s shorelines by cleaning up a beach in Stanley Park. Since 1994 there have been over 21 300 cleanups that have collected over 1.3 million kg of rubbish from across Canada’s shorelines. Over 800 000 volunteers have led and participated in cleanups, and PFM is proud to add itself to that number.