Several new members have been elected and appointed to Prince Edward Island's five regional health boards following the recent annual meetings of the boards.
Members elected this year include Donald G. Stewart, West Prince; Darcy Sark and Dr. Allen MacLean, East Prince; Sylvia Poirier and Douglas MacDonald, Queens; Tom Carver, Southern Kings; and Marion Trowbridge, Eastern Kings.
Board elections are held each year at the regional annual meetings in November. Elected members represent electoral zones in their region. They are elected for a three-year term.
Members appointed this year include Juanita Gaudet, West Prince; Gertrude Trainor and Henri Gallant, East Prince; Dr. Don Clark, Dr. David McKenna, and Dr. Bob Johnson, Queens; Sandra Myers, Southern Kings; and Mary MacPhee, Eastern Kings.
Appointed members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council following the elections to balance the complement of elected members and to ensure diverse community representation on the boards.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised that the three-year transition from government-appointed boards to combined elected and appointed boards continues to go well.
"When the process is complete next year, the majority of board members will be elected. People are generally very pleased with the process. They like the opportunity to elect their own members, and at the same time they appreciate the opportunity the appointment process provides to maintain diversity and continuity in the boards while bringing fresh new perspectives to them," said the minister.