New CEO selected for Horizon Health Network

Horizon Health Network has announced Karen McGrath as its new chief executive officer.

McGrath, who is from Newfoundland and Labrador,will replace John McGarry when he retires in January.

She has more than 35 years of experience in the health-care sector, including 14 years as the CEO of various organizations, according to a statement issued by the Department of Health on Thursday.

"Her skills, abilities and competencies will be an enormous asset to the Horizon Health Network in delivering sustainable, safe and good quality health-care services to residents of New Brunswick," Health Minister Victor Boudreau said in the statement.

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McGarry, 64, announced in April he would not be seeking to renew his four-year contract. His decision was unrelated to any policy disagreements with the provincial government, he had said at the time.

But McGarrydid say he was disappointed by thelack of success inencouraging co-operation among the regions Horizon covers, and co-operation with the francophonehealth network, Vitalit.

He also noted his successor wouldhave to continue making difficult decisions, managing public expectations with limited provincial resources.

McGrathwas selected following a national search conducted with the help of an executive search firm commissioned last June.

She has served at the helm ofthe Georgian Bay General Hospital, Central Health (Newfoundland and Labrador), the Ontario Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and Health and Community Services (Central Newfoundland and Labrador).

McGrath holds a master's degree in business administration, a bachelor's degree in social work from Memorial University, and a diploma in health services management from the Canadian Hospital Association.

Horizon, the province's largest health authority, operates 12 hospitals and more than 100 medical facilities, clinics and offices.