Laura Nielsen serves as Executive Director, Medical and Academic Affairs (MAA) at Island Health. In partnership with the Associate Vice President, Medicine and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, she co-leads the Medical Affairs portfolio, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and continuous improvement of the corporate functions that enable and support the organization’s relationship with its medical staff.
Laura leads a diverse team responsible for a broad portfolio that includes medical staff recruitment and retention, medical workforce planning, credentialing and privileging, clinical service contracts, quality and professional practice processes, governance, medical staff communications, and medical leadership education and development. Through this work, she ensures that systems, policies, and processes are aligned with regulatory requirements, organizational priorities, and leading practices in medical administration.
In close collaboration with medical and operational leaders across the organization, Laura works to strengthen engagement, foster trust, and build effective partnerships with medical leaders and staff. She supports the development of a sustainable medical workforce and advances structures that promote professional accountability, clinical excellence, and high-quality patient care.
The Executive Director, Medical and Academic Affairs reports to the Vice President, Medicine, Quality and Academic Affairs and Chief Medical Officer.