The HSA’s new Acting CEO Lizzette Yearwood says she is confident she’ll be able to perform her duties knowing she’s backed by a team of seasoned professionals.
The 13-year veteran of the HSA was approached by the HSA Board to undertake the duties of newly-departed Craig Brown and her appointment was announced on Oct 16. Prior to her recent promotion, Ms Yearwood was deputy chief executive officer and director of Clinical Support Services.
Since her employment with the Health Services in December 1993 she has steadily moved up the ranks through several positions within the service including Risk Manager and Business Manager Surgical Services.
‘Backed by my team, I know I can do the job and I’m extremely well acquainted in the challenges the HSA is facing. I’m interested in using the goals and mission of the HSA board’s strategic plan as a blueprint for a way forward,’ said Ms Yearwood.
‘These are the development of an efficient organizational structure for the HSA, implementing steps to ensure the financial viability of the HSA, implementing measures to ensure that the care delivered meets or exceeds internationally accepted standards, creating an environment in which patients and families are encouraged to actively participate in achieving wellness,’ she said.
‘It also means improving external communication to gain public confidence and support to achieve the mission and objectives of the HSA, and most importantly, creating an environment that ensures internal communication, fosters job satisfaction and encourages staff commitment to improve productivity and customer service.’
With a new three-year budget, the HSA has been working to eliminate its outstanding debts and has hired an interim CFO to provide assistance while the recruiting process for a permanent one winds down.
She sees her primary role, however, as restoring staff morale, which she mostly blames on perceived salary inequities.
‘The HSA’s greatest strength is our qualified and skilled staff,’ she said.
‘Salaries have been frozen for four years, but in this year’s budget, we have already allocated $1.3 million to cover designated salary inequities, and over the following two years, staff will see three per cent annual pay increases across the board.’
Ms Yearwood was adamant that she does not wish to take on the role permanently and fully intends to depart the position in three to six months as soon as a new CEO is recruited. She said the decision is based in large part on the fact that she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration and the job is incompatible with the continuation of her studies.
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