SURREY, B.C. — Fraser Health has appointed longtime health-care leader Dermot Kelly as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, tasking him with steering one of British Columbia’s largest health authorities through a period of change and ongoing demand pressures.
Kelly, who has more than two decades of leadership experience across the province’s health-care system, takes on the role with an emphasis on compassion, collaboration, and cultural safety. The announcement was made Tuesday by Fraser Health’s Board of Directors.
A leader shaped by experience
Kelly has served in senior positions within Fraser Health for the past six years, including critical responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. He supported Access and Flow during the height of the crisis, later moved into leading Patient Care and Quality, and most recently served as Vice President overseeing strategic planning and operations across a wide span of services. Those included maternity, infant, child and youth programs, medical imaging, six acute-care hospitals and 10 communities.
The incoming CEO says his approach will be defined by humility and purpose.
“It is an honour to serve Fraser Health in this role,” said Kelly. “I have seen firsthand the strength, dedication, and heart that defines this organization. Together with humility, courage, and a deep sense of purpose we will continue to strengthen a health system that meets the moment, supports our people, and instills hope in every person we serve.”
Board confidence in new direction
The board said Kelly’s track record and leadership philosophy align with Fraser Health’s priorities at a time when health-care systems are grappling with staffing shortages, rising demand, and the need for culturally safe care.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dermot into this role,” said Opreet Kang, Chair of the Fraser Health Board of Directors. “His leadership, experience, and compassion will help shape a stronger future for Fraser Health. The Board has great confidence in Dermot’s ability to foster meaningful relationships and deliver on the priorities that matter most to our patients, staff, medical staff and communities.”
Kelly’s vision for Fraser Health emphasizes not only high-quality patient care but also deeper engagement with staff, medical professionals, partners and the communities served. His focus is on strengthening relationships through open dialogue and mutual trust.
Commitment to cultural safety
A central element of Kelly’s leadership will be advancing cultural safety and humility across the organization. Fraser Health acknowledged the importance of ensuring that every patient and family feels respected, heard and safe, particularly in a region home to 32 First Nations and diverse Indigenous, Métis and Inuit populations.
The health authority said this commitment extends beyond clinical care to fostering inclusive practices across its network of hospitals and community-based services, which employ more than 48,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers.
Transition and gratitude for interim leadership
Kelly succeeds Dr. Lynn Stevenson, who has served as interim President and CEO in recent months. Fraser Health’s board praised Stevenson’s steady hand in guiding the organization during the leadership transition.
“The Board also extends its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Lynn Stevenson, who has served as Interim President and CEO over the past several months,” the statement read. “Her steady leadership, clarity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to people have been instrumental in guiding Fraser Health through a period of transition. We are deeply grateful for her dedication and care.”
Fraser Health at a glance
Fraser Health serves more than 1.9 million people across B.C.’s Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, making it the largest of the province’s regional health authorities by population. Its network includes hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community programs that operate on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations.
In recent years, the health authority has faced growing demand for services due to rapid population growth and complex demographic shifts. With Kelly’s appointment, Fraser Health is signaling a leadership approach centred on compassion, collaboration and cultural inclusion as it works to meet these challenges.
