The West Parry Sound Ontario Health Team has appointed its first executive director.
Ellen Walker, who served as the manager of operations for the Parry Sound Health Centre’s rural nurse practitioner led clinics, will step into the role.
Officials say Walker has over a decade of experience working in health care, and she successfully managed the expansion of services across six rural nurse practitioner led sites spanning over 6,000 square kilometres.
“I am honoured to take on this role and contribute to the health and well-being of our community,” said Walker. “We know that factors such as housing, income and employment all play a vital role in individual’s long-term health outcomes, and I am passionate about approaching health from a system lens. Together, I believe we can optimize the great work being done in our region to create a health care system that prioritizes collaboration and places a person’s experience at the centre of all we do.”
Ontario Health Teams are regional collaborative networks designed to coordinate comprehensive health care services for residents across a large catchment area.
Officials add Walker and the OHT will work to bring together a diverse range of health organizations, including hospitals, primary care providers, mental health services and long-term care facilities, among others.
Walker’s first task will be to complete a comprehensive needs assessment to fully understand the region’s health care needs. Then, she and her team will work to develop framework to address those needs.
