Posted on: August 11, 2021
Dr. Ben Williams excited to announce that Dr Michael Christian (Mike) will be joining Island Health as our new Executive Medical Director for Comox Valley, Campbell River and North Island beginning October 1, 2021.
Mike is an established senior healthcare leader with nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience with a focus on quality and reliability and a special interest in transport medicine.
Mike received his medical training at McMaster University and is a specialist in internal medicine, critical care and infectious diseases. He also holds an MSc in Public Health from the
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and is currently completing his MBA through Durham University in England.
Mike has published extensively related to his academic activities, including research, quality improvement, and guideline development. Mike has a genuine passion for public service and servant leadership.
Mike has served in a diverse range of roles over his career, including Medical Director in Critical Care Medicine, a health care executive in the role of Chief Safety Officer for the largest multi-site hospital network in Ontario, Director (Founding Board) of Public Health Ontario and a Specialist Medical Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.
For the past five years, Mike has held various leadership roles working in the UK practicing Pre-hospital Critical Care, primarily with the internationally renowned London's Air Ambulance.
At work, Mike's focus is on People - patients, their families, and his colleagues. He is driven by a desire to improve both himself and the systems within which he works. When not at work, Mike can pretty much always be found with his husband Paul hosting a dinner party or in the saddle on yet another cycling adventure somewhere in the world.
Paul and Mike enjoy both the finer aspects of urban living and great adventures outdoor, including kayaking and hiking. Their move back to BC brings Paul and Mike back to where they first met 20 years ago.
Dr. Ben Williams would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Jennifer Grace as the former EMD for the region and Dr. Marie-Clare Hopwood for taking on the role in the interim for their contributions and dedication to high-quality care.
Please join Dr. Ben Williams in welcoming Mike to Vancouver Island and his new role in Island Health.