New chair, members appointed to Interior Health board

February 28, 2024

Dr. Robert Halpenny has been appointed chair of Interior Health's board of directors, succeeding Dr. Doug Cochrane after his passing earlier this month.

"Dr. Halpenny brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in his career, which includes an extensive history of working with B.C.'s health authorities," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "He was instrumental in delivering the tertiary cardiac program to Interior Health, as well as the provision of helicopter services to meet the needs of patients in the region. Dr. Halpenny brings strong leadership qualities to the Interior Health board."

Halpenny will serve as Interior Health board chair until the end of 2026. Since 2015, he has been the chair of the Medical Services Commission, which oversees adherence to the Canada Health Act and Medicare Protection Act. He also was government representative with the commission from 2005-16.

For eight years, Halpenny worked as a family physician in Vancouver. His career as a health administrator spans more than 30 years, which included health-care societies in Vancouver, a hospital in Colorado, time at Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority, and eight years at Interior Health, where he served as senior medical director and for five years as president and CEO.

Additionally, William Michael Gerrand and Bonnie Charlene Anne Pearson have been appointed to the board for a one-year term, ending Feb. 28, 2025. Gerrand is a principal with the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP. Pearson is a labour leader with experience in the health-care sector.

"The addition of the new board members will bring a depth of knowledge and community experience, from both public and private sectors, and I look forward to our continued work together," Dix said.

A health authority board of directors helps ensure British Columbians receive the best care in an efficient, well-managed public health-care system. Boards are responsible for the governance and management of health services in the province. They work with health authority leadership to establish the organization's overall vision and ensure there is appropriate community consultation. Boards also regularly review the organization's long-term plans, look at significant issues affecting the organization and evaluate results.

Learn more:
Learn more about Interior Health's board of directors.

To read the statement on the passing of Dr. Doug Cochrane, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HLTH0022-000234

Backgrounder

New appointees to Interior Health board

William Michael Gerrand
Mike Gerrand is a principal with the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP working in Trail and Castlegar, advising small businesses, charities and non-profit organizations on various financial issues. Gerrand is a chartered professional accountant and holds a bachelor of business administration from Simon Fraser University, as well as a diploma of arts and science from Selkirk College. He has been active with various youth sports organizations for the past 20 years, including Castlegar Minor Baseball and Castlegar Minor Hockey in roles varying from coach to treasurer. He was born and raised in the West Kootenays and lives in Castlegar.

Bonnie Charlene Anne Pearson
Bonnie Pearson has been a labour leader with experience in the health-care sector and representative throughout her career, retiring in 2015 as secretary-business manager with the Hospital Employees Union. Prior to this, Pearson worked for the Compensation Employees Union where she represented staff at the Workers Compensation Board. Most recently, Pearson was appointed by the Municipal Employees Pension Committee to serve as the inaugural chair of the Municipal Retiree Benefit Trust. Active within her profession, Pearson served as an elected vice-president of the British Columbia Federation of Labour and was a member of the finance committee. She has also been serving on the ICBC board for six years and will remain until the end of 2024.