July 12, 2023 – The Arnprior & District Family Health Team (ADFHT) Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Van de Klippe as the next Executive Director of the organization, taking over for Karen Simpson, who retires on July 31, 2023, after a forty-year career in healthcare administration.
Emily brings more than 23 years of healthcare experience in the community, government, and non-profit sectors to her new position. Through progressive leadership roles, Emily has served patients as Executive Director of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Ontario as well as Director of Quality and Performance at Home and Community Care Support Services.
Emily recently completed a Master of Health Administration (Community Care) from the Toronto Metropolitan University, exploring healthcare reform in Ontario.
“Our Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Emily to the team,” said Jay Johnston, Chair, ADFHT Board of Directors. “Emily has a deep-rooted connection to our community and brings to ADFHT invaluable leadership experience in community healthcare and the broader health system. As we remain laser-focused on our strategic direction, Emily will be at the forefront of our innovative and collaborative approach to meet the diverse health needs of our growing and aging community.”
“I am delighted and honoured to join the Arnprior & District Family Health Team,” said Emily, who grew up in Arnprior and now lives in Braeside. “I look forward to building on my knowledge of the healthcare system and relationships with the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, and regional partners to help ADFHT move forward in this dynamic health system. The ADFHT is a cornerstone of health care in our community, and I will continue to foster the excellent work underway, engaging with our partners to enhance chronic disease management, disease prevention, and health promotion.”
Karen Simpson served as the Executive Director of the ADFHT for five years. Under Karen’s leadership, the ADFHT has created and expanded partnerships, programming, and services in response to the community’s health needs and the urgent demand for improved primary care access in Renfrew County.
Jay shared: “Our team, patients, and community have benefited greatly from Karen’s health system expertise, collaborative mindset, and passion to deliver exemplary care and services. On behalf of the ADFHT Board of Directors, we thank Karen for her invaluable leadership and guidance, and we wish her the very best in her well-earned retirement.”
The Arnprior & District Family Health Team is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board. Family Health Teams ensure that people receive the care they need in their communities, as each team is set up based on local health and community needs. Their mandate includes chronic disease management, disease prevention, and health promotion, partnering with other healthcare organizations, such as Public Health Units and Community Care Access Centres.
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Media contact:
Melissa McDermott
melissa@melissamcdermott.ca
Congrats Em this is awesome and the ADFHT is lucky to have you leading their team.
Good luck to Karen as you travel through this next life phase. Enjoy your well deserved retirement.
Sandra Elliott