The following has been sent to all Island Health staff, medical staff and volunteers on behalf of Kathy MacNeil, President & CEO
December 2, 2019
Certain news announcements can be bittersweet. This is one of those announcements. Dr Jeremy Etherington has notified me that he has decided to retire from his role as VP Medicine, Quality and Academic Affairs effective Jan 15, 2020.
Jeremy joined Island Health in 2016, bringing with him two decades of experience as a health care executive and three decades practicing medicine. We have been extraordinarily fortunate that he chose to bring his passion for clinical care and deep commitment to medical leadership to Island Health. I’m pleased to say that while he begins to slow down by retiring from his leadership role, Jeremy will continue to serve our community by practicing at Saanich Peninsula Hospital and the Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre.
Health and care is about relationships, and this is a value that Jeremy lives every day. Over the past four years, he has developed Island Health’s medical leaders into a cohesive and high-performing team and helped to solidify Medical and Academic Affairs’ reputation as a leader in engagement and medical staff support. Both of these achievements are a testament to his commitment to those who lead the response to the rapidly changing world of health care.
Jeremy’s passion for quality shows throughout his work. Following the ‘plan, do, study, act’ approach, he has helped champion Island Health’s involvement in the provincial Physician Quality Improvement initiative and led the revision of Island Health’s medical staff bylaws and rules.
When Jeremy joined Island Health, he brought his three-part philosophy: 1) staff and patients come first, 2) our values—both personal and organizational—must drive decision making and 3) clear and effective communication is fundamental to all that we do. These beliefs align perfectly with Island Health’s Vision and CARE values, which is why we are all better for having him as a colleague and friend on this journey.
I am so grateful for his many contributions, sound leadership and advice during his tenure, and so pleased that he will continue serving the residents of Vancouver Island. In the New Year, we will move forward to fill the VP, Medicine, Quality and Academic Affairs position, but for now please join me in thanking Jeremy for his service and commitment to quality health and care.
~ Kathy