After a tumultuous few months marked by leadership shakeups and mounting criticism from both inside and outside the organization, Interior Health has officially appointed Sylvia Weir as its new President and CEO, effective immediately.
Weir had been serving as interim CEO since June, following the sudden and controversial sidelining of former CEO Susan Brown, whose departure raised eyebrows across the region. The board’s confirmation of Weir’s permanent appointment signals a decisive shift for Interior Health as it attempts to restore confidence in the wake of staff unrest, community frustrations, and ongoing service disruptions.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Sylvia Weir as the next president and CEO of Interior Health,” said Dr. Robert Halpenny, chair of the IH Board of Directors. “Sylvia brings the right mix of values-based leadership, vision and financial acumen to enable the efficient and effective delivery of front-line clinical services.”
A Time of Reckoning
Weir’s appointment follows months of uncertainty and speculation over the state of leadership at one of B.C.’s largest health authorities. The departure of Susan Brown in June was framed by the board as part of her previously announced retirement, but the timing — just days after Brown had publicly defended her role and leadership in a defiant op-ed — suggested otherwise.
In the June 27 statement confirming Brown’s exit, the board provided few specifics about the decision, though it came amid fierce criticism over repeated ER closures in rural communities and a pediatric care crisis in Kelowna.
Brown, who had served as CEO since 2018, insisted in a public message that she had the “full support” of both the board and the Health Minister just a week prior to being removed. Her comments also criticized what she described as “sensationalized misinformation” in the media and “unproductive behavior” within Interior Health — comments that drew backlash from staff, community leaders, and politicians.
Following her departure, Weir was immediately appointed as interim CEO. At the time, she was IH’s Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate Services, roles in which she had already led major infrastructure and financial initiatives.
A Different Leadership Approach
In an interview on with Radio NL, Weir said that her leadership style will differ sharply from that of her predecessor. Her focus, she said, will be on rebuilding relationships, enhancing internal communication, and restoring trust — particularly in smaller, often underserved communities. “I intend to help set a new course for the health authority,” said Weir. “Relationship building and collaboration will be at its core.”
Weir noted that she’s spent the past several months visiting healthcare sites across the Southern Interior, including in the Kootenays, Cariboo, and at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria, where she met with mayors and Indigenous leaders. “I believe we all desire the same thing — to improve the services we provide for our patients and our residents,” she said. “It’s a collective leadership effort.”
Weir stopped short of announcing any immediate restructuring at the executive level but emphasized that she expects local clinical leaders to take a more visible and proactive role in shaping healthcare delivery in their communities.
Facing Systemic Challenges
Weir takes the reins at a time when B.C.’s health authorities are under review by the provincial government, in an effort to assess their effectiveness and financial sustainability. Despite speculation of province-wide changes, Weir downplayed the idea that Interior Health would see major upheaval. “The ministry’s review is aligned with our goals — to manage our budget while staying focused on front-line care,” she said.
Staffing shortages and financial pressures continue to be major hurdles. Weir acknowledged that recruitment and retention remain top concerns but said the authority has made strides, pointing to 86 new offer letters for specialty nurses and over 180 physician applications from the U.S. thanks to new recruitment efforts and provincial support. “We are getting attention now,” Weir said. “So it’s our job to keep those people — and to make sure the ones who have been head down for so long get some support and a bit of a break.”
Repairing a Damaged Public Image
Weir also addressed a long-standing criticism of Interior Health: its lack of clear and open communication with both staff and the public. “Absolutely, we’re working on that,” she said, noting her intention to prioritize external communication alongside internal culture change. “I am very committed to having open, respectful, transparent relationships with our communities and their representatives.”
Her comments signal a break from the previous leadership approach, which many, including Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz and Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew, accused of being unresponsive and out of touch. Dew, a vocal critic of Brown’s administration, cited a “broken culture” and a lack of internal feedback channels, while Goetz said it was “very hard to get a hold of Ms. Brown” during ongoing ER closures in Merritt.
A New Chapter
With over 25 years of health sector leadership experience in both Canada and the UK, and a reputation for community involvement — including with the Kelowna Women’s Shelter and Kelowna Community Resources — Weir appears poised to lead Interior Health through one of the most challenging periods in its history. “I’m aware of the challenges we face across the healthcare sector,” Weir said in a statement. “But I believe our continued focus on innovation, strategic partnerships and financial sustainability will allow us to meet those challenges head-on.”
As she steps into the role permanently, stakeholders across the Southern Interior will be watching closely to see whether Weir’s promises of collaboration, transparency, and cultural renewal translate into action — and, more importantly, into improved care for the communities Interior Health serves.
