New leadership for Alberta Health Services, Health Quality Council of Alberta

A corporate CEO with a proven background in financial oversight and corporate governance is taking the helm of Alberta Health Services, and an oncologist with executive experience at the former Cancer Board will lead the Health Quality Council of Alberta.

PHOTO CREDIT - AlbertaHealthServices.ca

Edmonton - September 5, 2012 - A corporate CEO with a proven background in financial oversight and corporate governance is taking the helm of Alberta Health Services, and an oncologist with executive experience at the former Cancer Board will lead the Health Quality Council of Alberta.

Stephen Lockwood, Q.C., takes over immediately as the new Chair of the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Board. He has been a member of the board since 2010. Lockwood is president and co-CEO of Mullen Group Ltd., a trucking and logistics company based in Okotoks. Prior taking on that role in 2004, he practised law with Carscallen Lockwood LLP, a firm he helped establish in 1988.

Dr. Tony Fields is the new chair of the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA), also effective immediately. He brings a distinguished academic career in medicine at the University of Alberta, was a vice president with AHS, and was a sitting member of the HQCA Board.

“Mr. Lockwood’s business and financial skills as well as his experience on the AHS board will ensure strong board governance and help us continue our goal of better access to and effective delivery of health care,” said Minister of Health Fred Horne. “I thank Catherine Roozen for her service as interim chair and for agreeing to remain on as vice chair.”

“Dr. Fields’ credentials, experience and reputation make him an excellent choice to lead the HQCA as they develop new and innovative approaches to improving patient safety and enhancing the quality of health services in this province,” Horne added. “I am deeply grateful to outgoing chair Dr. Lorne Tyrell for his dedication and service.”

“I would like to thank Minister Horne for showing confidence in me by appointing me as Chair of Alberta Health Services,” Lockwood said. “During my term, I intend to focus on achieving ‘Total Albertan Satisfaction’ with all aspects of AHS. We will challenge conventional thinking and be creative to make things better, we will work to ensure that everything we do has a useful purpose, and we will continue to empower our workforce. Our goal is to create a healthcare delivery system of which every Albertan will be proud.”

“My experience with patients and their families drives my approach to health care management,” said Dr. Fields. “I know the impact that executive decisions can have on the health care journey of an individual. I look forward to working with the board and with all partners to assure the best quality of care in Alberta.”