Executive Team

Penny Gilson

Chief Executive Officer
Responsible for reporting to the Board of Directors, and assumes all overall responsibility for the operations of the organization.
Background/Education: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and Master of Science in Administration (focus health care administration). Worked as a general duty nurse; nurse educator; nurse administrator; CEO of local health corporation prior to regionalization; RHA VP Programs/Services and RHA CEO.

Pat Cockburn

VP Programs & Standards
Responsible for programs across the region including Acute Care, Long Term Care, Allied Health Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Planning, Evaluation, and Facility Standards. Liaises with Diagnostics Services Manitoba.
Education/Background: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and Master of Healthcare Administration. Worked as a general duty nurse, Public Health Nurse/Home Care Case Coordinator, Nurse Administrator, and now Vice President, Programs and Standards.

Kerry Takvam

VP Corporate Services
Responsible for all the functions related to the planning, control and evaluation of the region’s financial operations, information technology and capital/maintenance.
Education/Background: Bachelor of Commerce; Certified General Accountant. Began Health Care Accounting career with Manitoba Health Organizations; Director of Finance for Baldur, Glenboro, Treherne and Wawanesa Health Centres; Finance Manager for South Westman Regional Health Authority; Chief Financial officer for Assiniboine Regional Health Authority and now Vice President, Corporate Services.

Deb Clevett

Debbie Clevett, VP Community Health Services
Responsible for programs across the region including Public Health, Health Promotion, Home Care, Mental Health, Aboriginal Health and Primary Care Services.
Education/Background: Baccalaureate Degree in Arts, Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. Worked as Nursing Station Team Leader, general duty nurse, Public Health Nurse/Home Care Case Coordinator, Nursing Educator, Nursing Administrator, Regional Director Health Services prior to regionalization, Manitoba Health Programs Liaison/Consultant and now Vice President Community Health Services.

Lara Bossert

Chief HR/ Communications Officer
Responsible for Human Resources, Payroll Services and Communications.
Education/Background: Graduated from Brandon University in 1993 with Bachelor of Arts; currently completing Bachelor of Human Resources / Labour Relations from Athabasca University.

Elise Weiss

VP Medical Services
Responsible for physician services in the ARHA and medical liaison to multiple committees and departments in the region.
Education/Background: Graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1982 as a Doctor of Medicine and a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Maniotba. Dr. Weiss is also an Assitant Professor with the University of Manitoba. Prior to her work with the ARHA Dr. Weiss was a Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Manitoba and a family physician.

Michelle Clark

Chief Quality and Safety Officer
Responsible for Risk Management, Patient Safety, and shared responsibility for Human Resources, including Physicians.
Education/Background: A graduate of Brandon University’s Business Administration program and completed the Health Services Management Program. Michelle has been employed in healthcare since 1998. She started with the Marquette Regional Health Authority in the role of communications and with the amalgamation of the Marquette and South Westman Regions, added various responsibilities to her portfolio.

Garlen Maxwell

Executive Director Facility Services
Responsible for acute and PCH facilities.
Education/Background: BScN – graduated 1988 BU (post diploma program);RN – graduated 1981 Brandon General Hospital. Experience as a staff nurse, educator and various administrative positions.

Glenda Short

Executive Director Allied Health Services
Responsible for Allied Health Services programs providing services to clients within facilities and communities including Health Information Services, Support Services (Nutrition Services and Housekeeping/Laundry, Pharmacy Services, Education Services, Infection Control, Therapy Services, and Registered Clinical Dietitian Services).
Background/Education: Graduated 1990 University of Manitoba. Experience as acute care staff nurse, Human Resources and primary care administrative positions.

ADM_-_I_-_535_-_Corporate_Organizational_Chart_-_April_19_2011.pdf