LeeAnn Larocque, CHE is the Vice President of Clinical Care and Chief Nurse Executive at IWK Health, a major women’s and children’s hospital and trauma center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout the last 27 years, LeeAnn has gained diverse experience in acute care pediatrics, women’s and newborn health, mental health, and addictions. Before her current position, LeeAnn was the Executive Lead with Clinical Transformation and the Director of Children’s Surgical, Emergency and Rehabilitation Services at IWK Health. Throughout the last 30 years, LeeAnne has held various leadership positions in healthcare, where she has been “dedicated to influencing evidence-informed change in healthcare delivery to meet the evolving needs of children, women, and youth.”
With various healthcare leadership roles, LeeAnn’s expertise extends to Quality & Patient Safety, Change Management, Emergency Preparedness, Clinical Capacity Planning, and Lean methodology where she ensures efficient and effective healthcare services. At IWK Health, LeeAnn led various redevelopment projects, starting from concept to design, to full integration within the organization. Her most notable project was the recent design and build of the IWK Emergency Department.
Working as a national accreditation surveyor, LeeAnn additionally helps to provide a positive change in healthcare. By collaborating with health organizations and leaders, she creates continuous improvements and upholds standards of excellence in healthcare. LeeAnn explains that her “passion lies in addressing social determinants of health and elevating standards of care for women, youth and children.”
LeeAnne, an executive committee member of the CCHL Bluenose Chapter, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of her contributions. In the Bluenose Chapter, LeeAnne actively engages in leadership development and advocates for the cultivation of leadership qualities for healthcare professionals. “The networking opportunities are an exceptional way to build relationships, enhance leadership skills and advance knowledge.”
LeeAnn’s leadership in healthcare has helped drive positive change in a rapidly evolving industry. She emphasizes the “importance of meaningful communication, collaboration, and involvement of frontline workers in decision-making processes.”
