Interim no more: Melanson appointed to top Horizon job

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After being on trial for almost two years, Margaret Melanson has been officially named the president and CEO of Horizon Health Network.

The news was announced via press release on Tuesday.

Melanson was appointed interim president and CEO of Horizon in July 2022 after Premier Blaine Higgs fired her predecessor, Dr. John Dornan, in the wake of a patient’s death in the waiting area of the Fredericton hospital’s emergency room. Dornan filed a complaint with the labour board over his dismissal and was awarded about $2 million in damages, but recently settled with the province, which was appealing the ruling, for an undisclosed sum.

The patient’s death also led to Dorothy Shephard being dumped as health minister, and the boards of directors of Horizon and Vitalité being terminated.

Melanson was appointed to the full-time job “after a national search,” the press release read.

It also quoted outgoing Health Minister Bruce Fitch, who said the decision is “a well-deserved recognition of Ms. Melanson’s experience, skills and dedication that will continue to benefit New Brunswickers and the staff at Horizon.”

The release described Melanson as “a health care professional and leader” who has “led the organization in addressing health care challenges by focusing on four critical action priorities – access to services, patient flow, recruitment and retention, and patient experience.”

“Margaret has extensive clinical and administrative experience in the health care sector, having also previously served as vice president of clinical and facility support services for the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation, among other roles,” her biography, in part, reads.

But she’s also faced some serious problems during her time in the top Horizon job, particularly with hospital overcrowding. Over the Christmas break, several Horizon facilities were so overwhelmed that the network urged patients to stay away unless they were facing life-or-death situations.

Melanson has also had tense moments with Premier Blaine Higgs.

After a seriously injured patient was sent home from Fredericton’s hospital due to overcrowding, Melanson was heard on an audio recording speaking to an ambulance dispatcher. She pleaded for the patient to be quickly transferred to Saint John, and mentioned that she was under pressure from Higgs.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue work on improving the health care system in my home province, especially around our critical action priorities,” Melanson said in the release.

“Most of all, I’m excited to continue to work alongside and engage with Horizon leaders, staff and physicians, as well as health care stakeholders and community leaders, who have been integral to our success thus far.”