Ontario Announces New Chair Of eHealth Ontario

Ontario announced today the appointment of Rita Burak as the new Chair of eHealth Ontario's board of directors.

Ms. Burak's considerable experience includes a number of progressively senior positions in the Ontario Government including Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council (head of the 65,000 person Ontario Public Service) and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Ms. Burak is currently serving as chair of the TELUS Toronto Community Board and is a member of the TELUS Ontario Advisory Committee.

Ms. Burak also serves on the board of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada, where she is a member of the board's Corporate Governance, Compliance and Nominating Committee and chairs the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. She is also a trustee of the University Health Network, and a member of the board of the Glendon School of Public Affairs.

The appointment, made by Order In Council, takes effect June 18, 2009.

eHealth Ontario is the government agency responsible for all aspects of e-health in Ontario, including creating an electronic health record for all Ontarians by 2015. Electronic health records will provide patients and providers with the ability to access, share and use health information. This important initiative will improve health care delivery, increase patient safety, reduce ER wait times and create a more effective health care system.