Interior Health CEO offers condolences after death of board chair

KELOWNA — Interior Health has announced the passing of the chair of its board of directors, Dr. Doug Cochrane.

In a news release, IH President and CEO Susan Brown conveyed sympathy to Cochrane’s family, calling him “a highly esteemed mentor and educator.”

“Dr. Cochrane joined Interior Health in 2017, and every day since then, he demonstrated a deep commitment to continuous improvement of patient care, quality and safety knowing it would lead to improved health outcomes for the people we serve,” said Brown. “Doug leaves a lasting legacy as he guided our reconciliation efforts from a personal commitment to listening and learning from Indigenous peoples in the Interior, their histories and how the current systems in place have impacted them directly. Indigenous health and wellness were of particular importance to Doug as he served as Co-Chair of both the First Nations and Métis partnership leadership tables.”

Cochrane joined the IH board in 2017 after retiring from a 30-year career as a pediatric neurosurgeon.

“I will miss Doug as a colleague, mentor, and friend and remember him for his kind and gentle approach to leadership, always willing to take on the toughest of challenges in the most human of ways,” continued Brown.

No details as to the circumstances of Cochrane’s death were offered.