VANCOUVER, June 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Dennis Chan, Chair of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Board of Directors, announced today that Queenie Choo, a highly accomplished and seasoned executive who has operated in complex, multi-stakeholder environments has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
"We are delighted that Queenie Choo will be joining S.U.C.C.E.S.S. as of August 1," says Chan. "She brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table garnered from more than 25 years of working in a variety of health care and social organizations in Alberta. In addition, she brings an understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural issues."
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Choo has also experienced first-hand the challenges and emotions of resettling in a new country. Thirty-two years ago, she immigrated to Canada. While she immediately had employment as a nurse, she says getting established in a new country with a new climate, new culture and new ways of doing things at times weren't easy.
Choo says that access to services that helped people adjust to a new country was somewhat limited in those days and nothing like what is offered by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. then or now.
Choo is currently Executive Director, Continuing Care Integrated Services for Alberta Health Services - a provincial role in leading Home Care redesign in Alberta. She joined Alberta Health Services in 2007, serving first as Director of Integrated Home Living Programs before being appointed to Executive Director. In this role, Choo has provided leadership in administration of more than $37.5 million in grant funding to improve quality, accessibility and sustainability of programs.
"It has been an exciting five years with Alberta Health Services and it has been gratifying to be part of setting the framework and strategic direction that supports the best practice development and standardization of continuing care. While I'll miss the organization and the wonderful people who work there, I'm looking forward to becoming part of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. team.
"The noble mission, vision and values of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. resonate with my core values and I look forward to making a meaningful contribution. I also feel fortunate to have been involved in a career that helps take care of those who are in need - those new to Canada, those who are looking for employment and those in need of housing, health care and social support," says Choo.
While Choo will be new to British Columbia, she is not new to the inner workings of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. having served as a surveyor for Accreditation Canada on two separate occasions - first when Lillian To was CEO (2005) and then under Tung Chan in 2008. (Accreditation Canada is a not-for-profit, independent organization that for the past 50 years, has provided health care organizations with an external peer review process to assess and improve the services they provide.)
Choo has also served as CEO of the Edmonton Chinatown Care Centre (2004 - 2007) and was instrumental in commissioning the new facility including the independent living lodge, assisted living and long term care. During her time with the Chinatown Care Centre, she was actively involved in community and social development as well as fundraising in collaboration with the Foundation.
Choo has a Master's Degree in Nursing, from the University of Alberta (1995). In 2007, she obtained her Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (Ottawa, Ontario). She is an Associate Faculty Member with Faculty of Nursing, at the University of Alberta and has been a consultant to the Professional Council for Licensed Practical Nurses. Choo has also presented widely at provincial, national and international conferences and she has co-authored many articles for publications. Choo is on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Home Care Association and Alberta Association on Gerontology (Edmonton Chapter).
The six-month long search was conducted by the Vancouver office of Odgers Berndtson, an international executive search firm under the leadership of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Board of Directors.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Board member Christine Brodie, who headed up the Board Search Committee, says: Choo stood out from the first interview. "In addition to her demonstrated ability to manage the financial and human resource needs of organizations similar to us, she is an articulate communicator who will be a strong advocate and champion of S.U.C.C.E.S.S."
Choo is married - to Frank and they have two daughters: Sheryl has completed her MD and is currently pursuing her medical residency at the University of Western Ontario and Sarah, who will be attending the University of Alberta this fall.
Established in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in British Columbia. It is a charitable organization providing services in settlement, language training, employment, family and youth counseling, business and economic development, health care, housing and community development. For more details, please visit: www.success.bc.ca
Image with caption: "Queenie Choo, CEO S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (CNW Group/S.U.C.C.E.S.S.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120618_C9735_PHOTO_EN_15231.jpg
Media Contact:
Eileen Lao
Public Affairs Manager
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Mobile: 778-997-8283
Office: 604-408-7243
E-mail: [email protected]
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