BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 27, 2021– Mrs. Chandra Nisbet Cansino is the new CEO of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). She is expected to begin her duties as early as this week, taking the reins from acting CEO Timothy Seguro, who has been temporarily occupying the post for the past few weeks. Today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) released a statement congratulating CEO Nisbet-Cansino on her appointment.
Earlier this year, the hospital underwent a significant administrative shake-up, after a decision was made to not renew the contracts of three senior-level staff members, including then CEO Michelle Cox-Hoare, which was followed not long after by the resignation of the chief financial administrator of the facility. The composition of the management of the hospital has thus been in limbo for the past 4 months.
Reports had indicated that a slight shift would also be taking place at the board level at the KHMH, with the expected replacement of one member, believed to be an affiliate of Health Minister Michel Chebat, with Covid-19 survivor Dr. Fernando Cuellar.
The MOHW’s release confirmed these reports and announced major changes to the KHMH’s Board of Management.
“Chief Executive Officer, MOHW, Dr. Deysi Mendez has been replaced by Dr. Julio Sabido as the Ministry of Health and Wellness representative. Additionally, two members have tendered their resignations. We thank Dr. David Hoy and Mr. Francois Chebat for their time, dedication and service while serving on the board. They have been replaced by Dr. Fernando Cuellar and Mrs. Daisy Codd,” the release from MOHW stated.
Nisbet-Cansino, a known medical professional and the former General Manager of Corporate and Customer Relations Services at the Social Security Board (SSB), reportedly tendered her resignation to the SSB in order to assume her new role at the national referral hospital.
Recently, it was announced and confirmed by the Minister of Health and Wellness that Dr. Michael Tewes had been chosen to be the CEO of the hospital through a board selection process, but due to public outcry and the reported opposition to his selection by a number of KHMH staff members, he stepped down shortly after assuming the post.
He was one of two candidates being interviewed by the hospital — the other being Nisbet-Cansino.
The board of the KHMH will undergo an additional change, as Minister Chebat has requested that regulations be amended to allow representation of the KHMH workers union.
The Health Ministry release states, “In what we feel is a historic decision; and one long overdue, the Minister of Health & Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, has requested that the laws governing the KHMHA be amended to allow for the KHMHA Workers’ Union to have a seat on the board to ensure that all employees’ concerns are addressed at the board level and also to further ensure transparency and accountability.”