Alberta's provincial healthcare system is undergoing another significant leadership transition. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has appointed a new interim president and CEO following the sudden leave of absence of the current head, Andre Tremblay.
Sudden Departure and Immediate Replacement
The change was confirmed on December 4, 2025. An AHS spokesperson stated that Andre Tremblay, who assumed the role in January of this year, is currently on a leave of absence. The organization declined to provide further comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure.
In response, Hospitals and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones moved swiftly to name an interim successor. The province has appointed Erin O'Neill, the senior vice president of finance and shared services at AHS, to serve as the interim chair and CEO.
Profile of the New Interim Leader
According to an official statement, Erin O'Neill brings substantial experience to the role. She possesses two decades of background in emergency management operations and government administration. Notably, five of those years were spent working within the health department, giving her direct insight into the sector's complexities.
The provincial statement expressed confidence in her ability to steer the organization, saying, “AHS is confident that Ms. O’Neill’s leadership will help deliver on its core mandate of providing high-quality, hospital-based services to Albertans across the province.”
Context of Ongoing Leadership Flux
This latest shift continues a period of instability at the top of Alberta's centralized health authority. Andre Tremblay had previously served as the acting deputy minister of health before he was elevated to the AHS presidency. He succeeded Athana Mentzelopoulos, whose tenure ended controversially.
Mentzelopoulos has since filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against both AHS and the provincial government, a case that casts a shadow over the organization's recent leadership history. The rapid appointment of another interim leader underscores the ongoing challenges in stabilizing the executive suite of one of Canada's largest health systems.
The move places Erin O'Neill at the helm during a critical time for healthcare delivery in Alberta, tasked with maintaining continuity and service quality amid the leadership transition.
