Image: Interior Health / Interior Health has announced the retirement of its president and CEO, Susan Brown, effective the end of this year.

By Victor Kaisar and Aaron Schulze, CFJC Today

Health authority CEO to retire

B.C. health authority CEO to retire amid repeated temporary closures of rural hospital emergency depts.

Apr 24, 2025 | 10:29 AM

B.C. INTERIOR — Interior Health has announced the retirement of its president and CEO, Susan Brown, effective the end of this year.

The health authority says Brown has informed the Board of Directors of her decision to retire at the end of 2025, ending her 14-year stint with Interior Health, with seven of them as CEO.

“During a time of profound uncertainty, through the COVID-19 pandemic and several natural disasters in the interior, Susan has been an extraordinary leader and a force for positive change,” Interior Health Board Chair, Dr. Robert Halpenny, said.

In a news release issued Thursday (April 24), Interior Health notes the opening of the first Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Kamloops and elsewhere, as well as the plan for the Kamloops Cancer Care Centre – which has drawn mixed reviews from some politicians and residents – was approved under Brown’s watch.

“Innovation has been a constant focus under Susan’s leadership, where she has supported and nurtured both small and large innovations,” the Interior Health statement said.

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“Under Susan’s leadership, IH advanced its work to embed cultural safety and anti-racism in the organization in pursuit of improved health outcomes for the 54 First Nations and 14 chartered Métis communities in the region.”

Brown’s retirement also comes at a time when Royal Inland Hospital’s vacancy rate for nursing has decreased. However, Interior Health has also continued to see temporary closures at emergency departments in rural communities such as 100 Mile House, Clearwater, Lillooet and Merritt.

Brown’s departure was also announced about a month after the province announced a review of all health authority spending that aims to “minimize unnecessary administrative spending” and ensure that resources go to “critical patient services”.

Interior Health says it will immediately begin recruiting for its next president and CEO.

Earlier this year in February, Fraser Health Authority parted ways with its CEO, Dr. Victoria Lee, in a mutual agreement that took effect immediately.