Moving Towards the Fire with Andrée Robichaud, President and CEO, Central Health

Today, your host Ellen Gardner and HIROC's Philip De Souza speak with Andrée Robichaud, President and CEO of Central Health in Newfoundland. Andrée shares leadership insights she's gleaned during her extensive career. She speaks to the challenges in leading such a large health authority with a vast remote population. Andrée also touches on the importance of a feedback loop when it comes to engaging with staff, physicians, partners and government. For Andrée, being a leader is about tackling issues head on – running towards the fire rather than away from it. Andrée leaves us with advice for emerging leaders in healthcare when it comes to engaging staff and communities and bringing people to the table. Note: This episode was recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Canada. While we do not speak to the ongoing crisis in this interview, we felt it was important to bring you this episode and maybe take your minds off some of what we're facing today. Key Takeaways: [1:36] The priorities for Central Health in 2020 and beyond [5:31] Employee engagement mechanisms Andrée and her team have implemented – Central Health's I Lead teams and the value of physician feedback [8:28] Instead of fearing conflict, Andrée says you have to be prepared to explain your decisions to employees [9:28] The importance of getting advice from people who don't think like you and can challenge you [11:23] The challenges of managing the largest RHA in Newfoundland with remote communities – how telemedicine has become a major focus for Central Health [17:26] Andrée's mentors throughout her career [19:14] Through the 5 Partners model, leaders who work with their communities and provide good information can get great outcomes [24:26] How Andrée's staff describe her leadership style and how her family sees her. [26:28] How demystifying mental health and coming in without a bias really works [28:36] Advice for emerging leaders in healthcare when it comes to engaging staff and communities Mentioned in this Episode: Aldéa Landry Central Health Dr. Charles Bohlen Dr. Peter Vaughan Eastern Health Labrador-Grenfell Health Nora Kelly Scarborough Health Network Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Vitalité Health Network Western Health Access More Interviews with Healthcare Leaders at HIROC.com/podcast Follow us on Twitter, and listen on iTunes. Email us at [email protected].