(Horizon) December 22, 2016 - The following memo is from Andrea Seymour, Chief Operating Officer and VP Corporate.

I am pleased to advise that Jennifer Sheils has accepted the role as our organization's Chief Information Officer (CIO).  Creation of this position signals recognition of the critical importance of information technology (IT) as an enabler of growth and innovation for Horizon Health Network.  It demonstrates our commitment to creating a shared IT strategy and vision that will help us to deliver on our strategic plan, providing Exceptional care. Every person. Every day.

As CIO, Jennifer will report to me and be responsible for establishing IT vision, developing our IT strategic plan, engaging stakeholders, and managing external relationships.  She will lead our IT/Telehealth service team, building and developing a small but mighty group of staff to assist us in moving technology solutions forward in this organization.

A graduate of Mount Allison University, Jennifer Sheils started with NBTel over 20 years ago and has progressed through various leadership roles within Bell to be currently recognized as an IT/ICT leader in New Brunswick.  For the last eleven years, she has worked specifically with the New Brunswick healthcare sector.  She brings with her extensive management and leadership skills, a proven track record in business strategy development, and talent in facilitating corporate governance processes.  Jennifer has demonstrated experience in leading complex solution development and service deployment projects. Leading by example, she approaches work professionally, with structure and enthusiasm.

She is excited about her new career with us, and commented that she looks forward to the "opportunity to engage Horizon Health Stakeholders in the creation of a vision for IT which enables our clinical capabilities for current and future patient care needs. Real Commitment means doing everything in your power to get things done, and I am committed to being an advocate representing Horizon Health Network with our partners, to evolve this vision into an executable strategy which ensures the innovation and needs of healthcare are clearly represented, and to ensure that we are implementing technology in a sustainable and meaningful way to support the ever changing needs of patient care in New Brunswick".  

Jennifer has extensive experience collaborating with the shared services agencies in New Brunswick.  In her new role she will work actively to strengthen business relationships and enhance collaboration with our partners and vendors by representing the needs of our care delivery teams as we develop an enterprise wide IT strategy.

She will join us on January 9^th and while her office will be located in Saint John, she will spend a good portion of her time at all of our sites.  I am excited by this positive step in driving enhancement and adoption of technology within our organization.  Please join me in welcoming Jennifer to the Horizon Health Network team.

With all best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.

Andrea Seymour
Chief Operating Officer and VP Corporate