Horizon names Margaret Melanson as President and CEO

(HORIZON) – After a national search led by executive firm Odgers Berndtson, Horizon Health Network (Horizon) Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Margaret Melanson has been selected as the President and CEO of the regional health authority, effective immediately.

Ms. Melanson, a health care professional and leader, has been serving as interim President and CEO since July 2022. Over the past 20 months, she 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.

“With her experience, vision, and commitment, Ms. Melanson was the clear choice to take on this role on a permanent basis,” said Susan Harley, Board Chair. “I look forward to working with her and am confident she will continue to help shape the health care system for the benefit of all New Brunswickers.”

“Congratulations to the Board of Horizon on successfully completing their CEO selection. This 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,” said Health Minister Bruce Fitch.

“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,” said Ms. Melanson. “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.”

A detailed biography for Ms. Melanson can be found below.

Margaret Melanson is the President and CEO of Horizon Health Network. She has held many prominent leadership roles within Horizon, including interim President and CEO, Vice President, Clinical Services and Vice President, Quality and Patient Centred Care. Previously, she was the Executive Director for the Saint John area, where she was responsible for clinical service delivery within acute care, among other responsibilities. She also has experience leading several clinical networks across all Horizon. 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. She is also a Past President of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada, and the New Brunswick Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Dalhousie University, as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration.

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