Alberta Health Services announced Thursday that the organizations Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chris Eagle, was stepping down from the position.
The announcement was made in a press release sent out early Thursday afternoon.
“This is a personal and very difficult decision, but it is one that is right for me and for our organization,” Dr. Eagle said in the release. “I have spent the last three years leading AHS, the largest health care authority in the country, and it has been my privilege to have had that opportunity.”
“It is time for fresh eyes and fresh energy at the helm of AHS,” Dr. Eagle said in a statement.
Dr. John Cowell, AHS Official Administrator, thanked Dr. Eagle in a press conference in Calgary Thursday afternoon.
“For the past three years he has worked tirelessly to improve and transform healthcare in this province,” Dr. Cowell said. “His commitment and dedication has been second to none and I have observed that in my short time here, but also from my time at the [Health Quality Council of Alberta] and many years before that, I have known Dr. Eagle for a very long time.”
AHS said Dr. Eagle would take some vacation time, but in the long term, he will stay with AHS, in an undetermined role, until he formally leaves.
Dr. Eagle will not receive severance pay, and AHS said an international search for a replacement will start right away.
Effective Thursday, Duncan Campbell has been appointed Acting CEO and President – AHS said Campbell has recently served as VP, Administration and Chief Financial Officer.
In a statement released after the announcement, Health Minister Fred Horne responded to the news.
“On behalf of government, I thank Dr. Eagle for his service to our province and personal commitment to the care of Albertans,” Horne said.
Dr. Eagle will formally leave AHS on October 20, 2014.
