New Chief Nursing Executive at MAHC

An existing member of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s senior leadership team is taking on additional responsibility in 2018.

Earlier this month, following the departure of MAHC’s previous Chief Nursing Executive Karen Fleming, Esther Millar was appointed Chief Nursing Executive & Clinical Services.

Millar joined MAHC’s senior team in July 2015 as Chief Executive, Clinical Services responsible for overseeing Pharmacy, Emergency and Surgical Services. Through this new appointment, Millar assumes accountability for all of the nursing clinical areas across both sites.

“By adding Chief Nursing Executive to Esther’s portfolio instead of replacing Karen with a new leader, we have reduced the senior team by one position,” explains Natalie Bubela, Chief Executive Officer. “These changes better balance the span of control of our leaders at MAHC and provide consistent oversight and accountability for all of the nursing areas.”

Millar has 31 years of experience in the health care industry including 25 years of senior leadership experience. Prior to joining MAHC, Millar was the Vice President, Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Hanover & District Hospital in southwestern Ontario and previously served as the Chief Nursing Executive at Temiskaming District Hospital in northeastern Ontario. Before beginning her management career, she spent five years as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and two years on the two-nurse transport team at Hospital for Sick Kids. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Western Ontario and a Masters of Business Administration from Ottawa University.

“During the two-and-a-half years Esther has been part of the MAHC team, she has demonstrated strong oversight for delivering high-quality patient care,” says Bubela. “Through Esther’s leadership and collaboration with physicians, managers and staff, MAHC has improved medication reconciliation, shortened emergency wait times and length of stay, generated cost savings for the organization, and formed partnerships that support integrated services across the region, improve relationships with our partners, and enhance access to care through expanded service offerings. I’m delighted to welcome Esther to her new role.”