Four UPEI alumni and faculty appointed to Health PEI board
The PEI government has appointed eleven people to the inaugural board of directors to oversee Health PEI, the province's new health services authority. They were selected from more than 130 applicants. Four of the board members are UPEI alumni and/or faculty. They are James T. Revell, Dr. Stephen O'Brien, Phyllis Horne, and Dr. Donna Murnaghan.
In 2009, in response to concerns raised in the 2008 Corpus Sanchez International (CSI) health system review, the Province struck the Health Governance Advisory Council and tasked it with making recommendations regarding the governance of the health care system. In November 2009, the government released the PEI Health Governance Advisory Council's report and, in accordance with the report's recommendations, introduced legislation to create an arms-length governing body to be called Health PEI.
The Health Governance Advisory Council identified the Health PEI Board as a crucially important element of the proposed new governance structure and recommended that the members of the Board possess key leadership competencies, have a range of relevant skills and experience, and be broadly representative of the Island community. The Council's recommendation was accepted and legislated in the Health Services Act.
The Health PEI board will be chaired by Leo Steven, former CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre - an internationally respected, dynamic, research-oriented teaching hospital. The other board members are Geraldine MacKendrick, Dr. Marvin Clark, Kenneth Ezeard, Gordon MacKay, Dr. Kinsey Smith, and Denis Marantz.
The core responsibilities of the board of Health PEI include budgetary oversight and authority to oversee the day-to-day delivery of services in accordance with policies set by Department of Health and Wellness. Health PEI will deliver the front-line services to Islanders.
BIOGRAPHIES
James T. Revell
James T. Revell graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1982 and Dalhousie University Law School in 1985. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island. Prior to joining the Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island, he practiced law and was a partner in the Ch arlottetown law firm today known as Cox & Palmer. Mr. Revell is also a director and shareholder in a number of companies including having a financial interest in a number of private companies operating in PEI.
Mr. Revell has been active in the community with organizations such as Four Neighborhoods Community Medical Center in Sherwood and Parkdale Sherwood Headstart as well as a number of sports and charitable organizations. A member of the PEI Law Society and Canadian Bar Association, Mr. Revell lives in Charlottetown.
Dr. Stephen O'Brien
Dr. Stephen O'Brien was born and raised in Morell, Prince Edward Island. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Prince Edward Isl and in 1971 and his Medical Doctor Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1975. In 1987, Dr. O'Brien was certified as a member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. In 2010, he became a Certified Independent Medical Examiner.
Dr. O'Brien worked as a family physician in Souris from 1976 until 2004. He is also a Past President of the PEI Chapter of Family Physicians of Canada. Currently, Dr. O'Brien serves as a Medical Director for the Worker's Compensation Board and also as House Physician at the Hillsborough Hospital. Dr. O'Brien lives in Souris.
Phyllis Horne
Phyllis Horne has been an educator with the Western School Board for the past 38 years. She has been a classroom teacher, special education/resource teacher, and an administrator. From 2007-2009, she served as the President of the Prince Edward Island Teachers' Federation and has always been an advocate for students, teachers and education. During her career, Phyllis served on numerous committees at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and at the Teachers' Federation. She completed a Masters of Education in Leadership and Learning at UPEI in 2001. Her thesis focused on inclusive practices in education in Prince Edward Island. She lives in Mill River.
Donna Murnaghan
Dr. Donna Murnaghan is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University Prince Edward Island. Her teaching expertise includes Advanced Nursing Practice, Leadership, Communication Theory, Chronic Illness, Primary Health Care, Cancer and Research, and Quality Improvement. Dr. Murnaghan is the Lead Investigator for the Comprehensive School Health Research Group, which conducts policy relevant research and knowledge exchange across health behaviours with the goal to influence policy and practice. Her strong leadership in promoting community-university partnerships is a critical element to enhancing the research capacity in Prince Edward Island at the local, national and international level.
Dr. Murnaghan has served on a number of boards including past president of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, member of the PEI Health Advisory Council and past co-chair of the PEI Cancer Control Strategy. Dr. Murnaghan also served as Director of the PEI Health Research Institute from 2003 until 2009.
