New Health P.E.I. CEO says stabilizing the system is her top priority

Melanie Fraser knows being the CEO of Health P.E.I. is a big job, but says she's got the experience that's needed to help transform the Island's health-care system.

Fraser started in the job March 11, replacing former CEO Dr. Michael Gardam and taking the reins from interim boss Corinne Rowswell.

She comes to the Island from Ontario, where she was the associate deputy minister of health during the time Ontario Health was created.

Fraser has experience in what she calls "system transformation."

"There's a lot of stress right now, and a lot of it related to health human resources," she said in an interview with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin. "So priority one is really going to be to think about how do we stabilize quickly so that we can get refocused on our priorities going forward."

Fraser breaks that stabilization down into three categories: recruitment and retention, critical care capacity and workforce satisfaction.

"Health-care workers are some of the most committed and hard-working people," Fraser said. "I really want to ensure that I get a chance to talk to them, hear from them and learn how we can provide some relief."

Despite taking over the helm a health-care system that's repeatedly been called "in crisis," Fraser said taking the job was an incredible opportunity.

"Some people may look at the Island's small population and rural geography as a challenge," she said. "I actually think it's a huge asset and a fantastic opportunity to leverage. We can be more nimble in making change."

Fraser hopes because of the Island's size, it will be easier to talk with all stakeholders in the province to work collaboratively toward solutions.

"The perfect example of that is the patient medical homes," she said. "They're an absolute feature and I think most health-care systems would be jealous to have them in such a position as they are here."

In terms of recruitment, Fraser said she's been given full authority to make changes. But the problem right now is that nearly every health-care system in the world is recruiting.

So, Fraser hopes to change the way recruitment works in the first place.

"There's a fantastic opportunity here to add an Island touch," she said. "There's a reason my family and I are coming here — this is a fantastic island, a fantastic place to live. And so I think the marketing part of this is really easy."