A2

By Shawn Merrithew

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When the new regional health authority takes affect on Sept. 1, a familiar face will be at the helm for the Upper River Valley.

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Dean Cummings

Woodstock-native Dean Cummings has been appointed executive director of the Upper River Valley for regional health authority B (RHA B), which is the amalgamation of four regional health authorities.

Cummings will be responsible for the three hospitals in the region – the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, Hotel Dieu de St. Joseph in Perth-Andover and Tobique Valley Hospital in Plaster Rock.

It is an honour to be offered the position, he said, and he can't wait to settle in as a member of the new organization.

"I'm really looking forward to working with the new team at RHA B," Cummings said. "It is somewhat similar to what I have been doing as the administrative director position for the Upper River Valley. I'm still responsible for the three Upper River hospitals – in Waterville, Perth-Andover and Plaster Rock – and working closely with the medical staff, the managers and the regional directors. My responsibility is working with the three Upper River Valley hospitals and linking that into the other facilities in our health region and ensuring we are providing safe clinical care to our patients."

When it was first announced by Health Minister Michael Murphy that the department was going to reduce eight health authorities to two, Cummings said, it left many wondering what the future would bring.

His appointment comes as a bit of a relief.

"I think as any of us in the organization, you tend to wonder what the organizational structure will look like and what impact it will have on everyone," he added. "Again, I was just pleased to be asked to be in the position and working in the new structure. I'm glad to be carrying on in the organization."

Cummings brings a wealth of experience to the table in his position. He currently serves as the Administrative Director of Primary Care North and Director of Community Relations for River Valley Health, a position he has held since 1992.

His career in health care began in 1980, when he took the position of Director of Finance at The Carleton Memorial Hospital in Woodstock. From there, he was appointed to administrator of the hospital and then on to his current position.

In that time, Cummings said, he gained extensive experience in management and facilitation at various levels of the organization, which will help him in his new role.

While it is hard to say what the future holds, Cummings said he will work hard with the new team to help grow health care in the region.

"This structure is new," he said. "At this point in time, it is the senior management and executive management that has been announced. It will be a work in progress over the next few months as far as what other changes will be made, if any, throughout the structure. (But) I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the team and working together as we develop our new approach and strategy for the new health authority."