After nearly a decade of making the commute to Vancouver, Natalie Meixner is working closer to home as the new president and CEO of the Richmond Hospital Foundation, starting this Monday.
After beginning her career in the tourism and transportation industry, Meixner worked for the United Way of Lower Mainland before hunting for funds for the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation.
Health care is just an incredible environment to work in, Meixner said about her decision to work for VGH. The people are so compassionate and passionate about what they do.
The 15-year Richmond resident eventually became the senior vice-president of fundraising and marketing for VGH where she oversaw numerous donations and upgrades, including the Robert H. N. Ho research centre, a $15-million facility scheduled to open this week.
Donors make the difference when it comes to having new and better equipment, she said. People really can have an impact.
Having spent nearly a decade at VGH, Meixner said she relished the opportunity to work at the hospital where her grandchildren were born.
I know that its a community with a lot of spirit and energy, she said of Richmond.
As important as modern hospital facilities are for patients, Meixner said having great healthcare nearby is also important for attracting businesses to Richmond.
The new president said her first order of business was listening to hospital staff.
She said shed speak with doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians to gain an understanding of the new facilities and equipment that might be necessary for the hospital.
But while her immediate focus is on hospital staff, Meixner is hopeful all of Richmond will take an interest in the RHF.
Its an opportunity for all of us in Richmond to rally around our hospital, Meixner said.
