Message from the CEO: Mary Ackenhusen receives national business award

I am delighted to announce that Mary Ackenhusen, VCH’s Chief Operating Officer for Vancouver, has been officially named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women for 2013.

The award comes from the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), a national organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional, and board roles. Since 1997 it has established a Top 100 list to highlight and promote the important role women play in business, leadership and innovation in the public and private sectors.

To be named among the Top 100 is an honor to both Mary and Vancouver Coastal Health. She is no stranger to VCH or executive leadership in complex, corporate environments. A graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Master of Business Administration program and the West Virginia University’s Industrial Engineering masters and undergraduate programs, Mary joined VCH in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer for Coastal, becoming Chief Operating Officer for Vancouver in 2010. Prior to that, she spent several years as Vice President of Corporate Support & Facilities at Fraser Health. In that role, Mary oversaw support areas such as housekeeping, food services and security, as well as plant management and purchasing. Her career also includes a position as Director of Quality and Operations at INSEAD, an international business school based in Fontainebleau, France.

A full list of the 2013 recipients can be found on the WXN website (www.wxnetwork.com) as well as the National Post newspaper. Please join me in congratulating Mary on her achievement.

Dr. David Ostrow
President and CEO