How do you plan to forge and build relationships with policy and legislative leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador?
VK: The political leaders are much closer to the health authority than in my experience in Ontario. It’s a matter of getting to know each other, being honest in our communication and keeping everybody in the loop. I don’t believe that the minister of health or the premier should ever be embarrassed or surprised by our information. What I have said to anybody who asked me during my interviews with Eastern Health is that if I know it, they will know it; and, if I don’t know it but there’s a rumour about it, I’ll find out. I cannot promise that it will always be good news. There will be times when we don’t do everything right; it won’t be because we’re purposely trying not to, but because that’s the way of the world. Our job is to give the politicians the information they need so that they can help us correct what needs correction, and give credit where credit is due. It’s all about relationships, communication, getting know each other and trusting the information and people you deal with
