Kenneth Baird 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.
Mr. Baird, who has a Master of Business Administration, Graduate Diploma in Management, Certificate in Health Services Administration and a Diploma of X-Ray Technology, brings extensive health executive experience to the position. Additional biographical information for Mr. Baird can be found in the backgrounder below.
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 health care 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.
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.
Quotes
“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.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Mr. Baird is an experienced health-care 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.”
Leslie O’Reilly
Chair of Eastern Health’s Board of Trustees
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Learn more
News Release: Transitional CEO Announced for Single Health Authority Planning Phase
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Media contacts
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur
Eastern Health
709-777-1412
gina.macarthur@easternhealth.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information for Kenneth Baird
Kenneth Baird has had extensive clinical and administrative experience within the health system. He joined the Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2016, bringing with him more than 40 years of experience. His most recent position was Vice-President of Quality, Process Improvement and Clinical Supports.
Mr. Baird 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.