Tess Orlando, who was the director of acute, home and community health care for the Sunshine Coast and Powell River, left her job Nov. 15. She oversaw St. Mary's Hospital, the Powell River hospital, nursing homes and home health care services.
Orlando did not return phone calls from Coast Reporter this week. Clay Adams, spokesman for Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA), would not say whether Orlando quit or was fired.
"It was time to make some changes and we wish her well," Adams said.
Orlando's departure came as a surprise to local doctors, according to Sechelt physician Ron Mundy. He said there have been a number of sudden changes in management at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority in the past year.
VCHA is now "actively recruiting" for a new director of acute, home and community care for the Sunshine Coast and Powell River, said Adams. In the meantime, St. Mary's Hospital and the Kiwanis and Shorncliffe care homes are being overseen by Barnabas Walther, mental health and addictions director for the North Shore and Coast Garibaldi. Home care services are being overseen by Deb Ryan, community and family health director for the North Shore and Coast Garibaldi.
