The president and chief executive officer of Quinte Health Care will step down from the position later this year.

Mary Clare Egberts, who has spent nearly 10 years at the helm of Quinte Health Care hospitals, has notified the QHC Board of Directors of her intention to retire later this year. 

She will remain in the position until a successful candidate is selected, with the goal of retiring by the end of August 2020, a release from the hospital states.

QHC Board Chair Stuart Wright stated the board respects and supports Egberts in her decision.

“We are indebted to Mary Clare for the vision, passion and expertise she brings to the role of President and CEO each and every day,” he stated in the release. 

“The Quinte Health Care Board recognizes that effective and qualified leadership is absolutely essential to ensure our four hospitals continue to deliver the high quality of care that patients deserve.”

Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk in a release praised Egberts for the work she has done since coming the the city in 2010.

“It would not be an overstatement to suggest that she arrived during a time of chaos in the organization with the future of our four-site facility very much in jeopardy,” he stated.

Mary Clare Egberts brought stability, structure, professionalism and a strategic vision which has put our important health care facilities on a better foundation.”

Panciuk continued that he “always found her to be approachable, forthright and collaborative” and that he was grateful for her service to the community.

“On behalf of City Council and the residents of Belleville, I wish Mary Clare and her family good health and a happy retirement,” he stated.

The QHC Board will be engaging an executive recruitment firm to conduct the search for a new President and CEO.  The recruitment process is expected to take six to eight months.