Vera Etches, perhaps best known for helping to pilot Ottawa through the global pandemic as the city’s medical officer of health, has been named the new president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, replacing Alex Munter.
CHEO’s board of directors announced Wednesday that Etches has been appointed, effective March 3, 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Etches to CHEO,” said Jo-Anne Poirier, chair of the board, in a news release. “Her experience, passion, and dedication to improving health for everyone makes her an ideal person to lead us into the future.”
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Etches will oversee all aspects of CHEO’s operations, including patient care on campus and in the community, research, innovation and advocacy. She will work closely with the CHEO team to build on the organization’s vision for the future, which includes an ambitious 10-year redevelopment plan that will see new and renovated spaces to expand access to care for every child and youth, according to the release.
“I am honoured to be joining CHEO and to have the opportunity to lead such a remarkable organization,” said Etches. “CHEO is synonymous with exceptional compassionate care and groundbreaking research. I look forward to working with the CHEO team to build on this legacy and ensure that CHEO continues to meet the growing needs of kids today and tomorrow.”
Munter resigned earlier this fall after 13 years and recently stepped into the role of CEO at the Canadian Medical Association.