The Middlesex-London Board of Health is pleased to announce that Emily Williams has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU), effective today. Ms. Williams joined the Health Unit in November 2020 as the Director of the MLHU’s Healthy Organization Division, with leadership responsibility over human resources, finance, information technology and other key functions. She has also served the Health Unit in a critical role as Logistics Lead for the COVID-19 vaccine program.

Ms. Williams has served as the MLHU’s Interim CEO since March 1, 2021. This appointment followed Dr. Michael Clarke’s departure from the Health Unit, after he held the role of Interim CEO between July 2020 and March 2021.

“The Board of Health is thrilled that Ms. Williams is officially stepping into her new role as the Health Unit’s permanent CEO. She brings with her a wealth of leadership experience gained through a career in the healthcare sector and has been a strong leader since she joined us,” says Maureen Cassidy, Chair of the Middlesex-London Board of Health. “Ms. Williams is a tremendous addition to our team, and we look forward to her continued leadership in the years to come.”

Part of the MLHU’s 2021-2022 Provisional Strategic Plan was to ensure the right leadership and organizational structure was put in place to support the Health Unit’s evolving needs. Given the success of the Interim CEO model that has been in place since July 2020 and considering the needs of the organization moving forward, the Board of Health decided to create a permanent CEO role. The Health Unit joins at least two other health units in the region with separate CEO and Medical Officer of Health leadership roles.

Ms. Williams is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree from Western University. She also holds an MBA from Athabasca University and a Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Prior to joining the Middlesex-London Health Unit, Ms. Williams worked at London Health Sciences Centre for more than 20 years, with 15 of those years in leadership roles. This included five years in senior management positions, including Director roles in Women’s Care and the Children’s Hospital.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-617-0570

Spokesperson:
Maureen Cassidy, Chair, Middlesex-London Board of Health