Health region hires new CEO

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/02/2024 (590 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Prairie Mountain Health has hired a new chief executive officer to replace current CEO Brian Schoonbaert, who’s set to retire at the beginning of April.

Treena Slate is currently employed by PMH as regional lead in acute care services and chief nursing officer. She has more than 30 years experience in health care and 15 years in a leadership role.

During her medical career, Slate has been a staff nurse, educator, public health nurse, manager of nursing and director.

“I am following in some incredible footsteps,” Slate was quoted in a news release. “Brian (Schoonbaert) will be truly missed by all who worked with him. Prairie Mountain Health has an incredible team of over 7,500 individuals providing quality health care to the residents of PMH — and I feel very fortunate to work alongside these dedicated staff.”

Schoonbaert spent more than 35 years in health care, first serving as a finance director for the health system in Baldur, Glenboro, Treherne and Wawanesa.

Before accepting the job as Prairie Mountain Health CEO in 2021, Schoonbaert was vice-president of finance and information services for the Brandon General Hospital and the Brandon Regional Health Authority, before both entities were renamed.

Slate will be the third CEO for PMH, said Lon Cullen, board chair.

Of the more than 200 applicants, the selection committee narrowed the number down to about 14 — and from there, they interviewed six people who made the short list.

One of the reasons Slate stood out was because “she helped guide Prairie Mountain Health through the pandemic,” Cullen told the Sun.

“She grew up in rural Manitoba and has spent much of her career here. She knows the importance of health care to smaller communities in the region. She’s smart, articulate, a strong leader and built on practical experience.”

PMH staff were also included in the recruitment process. They were asked to submit to the board a list of what qualities they felt were important for a CEO to possess.

During the interview, one of the questions posed to applicants was what motivated them to apply for the job, Cullen said.

“We wanted to focus on various components. We need government relations, quality and patient safety and patient-centred care. It’s about the patients. If we don’t do that, we haven’t done anything,” he said.

“And things are changing. With all the shortages of doctors and nurses, we wanted to have some experience and she certainly has that in the nursing role and managing the team of people there.”

Slate is already part of the executive team within the health region, added Cullen, so she has a good understanding “of the role and what it takes.”

“She is well-known and is respected on a provincial scale as well.”

In June 2023, Slate was one of six members appointed to a nursing council that was established by then-Progressive Conservative health minister Audrey Gordon, with the goal of improving working conditions for Manitoba’s nurses.

Slate was also part of a recruiting mission that went to the Philippines in February 2023, led by Jon Reyes, minister of advanced education, immigration and skills under the previous PC government.

During the five-day trip, clinical leaders and human resource professionals interviewed nearly 400 nurses and offered about 350 letters of intent to applicants.

As PMH’s board of directors announced their new hire, they expressed thanks and appreciation to Schoonbaert for his years of dedication and strong leadership.

“Brian’s commitment to providing quality health care and supporting all PMH staff, physicians and volunteers has always been evident. All who have worked with him will miss Brian’s positive, welcoming, genuine approach,” the news release stated.

Schoonbaert has a financial background as a chartered professional accountant and a master’s degree in business administration in management.

The previous CEO of the regional health authority was Penny Gilson who came up through the ranks of nursing. Before retiring in May of 2021, she held the position for nine years.

“Slate is coming with a practical nursing background and an MBA in health-care management, so we think that’s a good complement,” said Cullen.

Slate completed her Master of Health Administration in 2023 through the Johnson Shoyoma School of Public Policy, a centre for advanced education, research and training in policy and administration, with locations at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan.

Schoonbaert’s last day as CEO will be Slate’s first official day — April 5.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

» X: @enviromichele