Dear Friends:
As the current Board Chair of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, I am very pleased to share with you some news which I believe will further strengthen our organization as we strive to continue service to the people of the Artibonite Valley.
The Board of Directors has voted unanimously to select Mr. Louis Martin as its new CEO who will arrive in Haiti and take on this role in October 2012. Louis is an experienced administrator and financial manager of health care organizations in Vietnam, Thailand and Switzerland. He was born in Canada, educated in the United States, and now resides in Geneva, Switzerland with his wife and two children.
Our comprehensive search process benefited from the energy and commitment of a professional international search firm. We were fortunate to attract a large pool of candidates, representing a broad range of nationalities and experience. Based on interviews and other evaluations, which included three of the finalists being invited for two-day visits and interviews in Haiti, the search committee was unanimous in its selection of Mr. Martin.
With this transition in leadership the Board is grateful for Ian Rawson’s recent years of service in Deschapelles as Managing Director, where his experience and energy supported the hospital’s responses to the earthquake and cholera. In collaboration with our Medical Director, Dr. Silvia Ernst, Ian has encouraged the advancement of several senior Haitian managers who have strengthened the organizational fabric for the future. As soon as Louis is comfortable in his new role as CEO, Ian looks forward to returning home to be with his family, and to support the ongoing development effort.
I am certain that we would not have arrived at this current strong position without the dedicated support that each of you has brought to this organization. Quite simply, we could not provide the services or attract the highest level leadership without your many contributions. I hope that you will join me taking pride in our past accomplishments and looking forward optimistically as we embrace these transitions.
Sincerely,
John Walton, Board Chair