Interior Health makes interim CEO permanent following a period of controversy

Interior Health’s CEO stepped down after the health authority came under heavy criticism following the Kelowna General Hospital pediatric closure, and now the person who stepped in temporarily is stepping up permanently. 

Sylvia Weir was promoted from chief financial officer to interim CEO back in June when former CEO Susan Brown stepped down. Now, Weir is going to be CEO and president permanently, according to a press release from Interior Health today, Oct. 9.

“I am acutely aware of the challenges we collectively face both at IH and as a broader health-care sector, but I am confident through our continued focus on engagement, innovation, strategic partnerships and financial sustainability we will be able to maintain our commitment to delivering the highest quality and most effective care possible to communities,” Weir said in the release.

Interior Health has seen 3,675 emergency room closures between April 2023 and April 2025. The Kelowna General Hospital pediatric unit was closed for several weeks earlier this year drawing criticism from the public and local politicians. 

Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew was outspoken about Interior Health’s leadership and his view that it needed significant change. 

“This is a crucial opportunity for a system reset.  New leadership must rebuild confidence and culture — for the people who work in the Interior Health system and for families like mine who rely on it. Interior Health needs a renewed focus on accountability, transparency, internal culture, and collaboration with local communities,” Dew said in a media release following the announcement. 

Interior Health’s chair of the board of directors Dr. Robert Halpenny said Weir was chosen after reviewing numerous candidates. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Sylvia Weir as the next president and CEO of Interior Health,” Halpenny said in the release. “As we considered a full slate of candidates, it became clear that Sylvia brings the right mix of values-based leadership, vision and financial acumen to enable the efficient and effective delivery of front-line clinical services to support the achievement of IH’s vision.”

Previously, Halpenny said that IH has been transparent and cooperative, even though local MLAs like Dew said they had an incredibly difficult time meeting with the authority’s leadership during the KGH pediatric closure.