Media Release

WRHA CEO announces retirement

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Thursday, October 17, 2019

After more than 31 years in health care – including 2½ years as CEO of the WRHA – Réal Cloutier today announced his retirement.

Réal took on the role of CEO in 2017 to navigate the WRHA through a period of important and unprecedented change.

“With the largest elements of change within our Winnipeg region now compete, I feel this is the right time for me to step away to spend more time with my family and enjoy my life outside the office,” Cloutier said.

Cloutier was among the first 10 employees who worked at the WRHA when the health authority was created in 1997.

“We are very grateful for the enormous contribution Réal has made throughout the course of his career, and in particular through the last two years. We wish him all the very best in his retirement,” said Karen Dunlop, chair of the WRHA Board of Directors.

Dunlop said the board accepted Cloutier’s decision with mixed emotion, indicating that the board's top priority now is determining the next steps needed to ensure a seamless transition to new leadership by the end of this year.

“Réal Cloutier has been a leader in Manitoba's health system for more than 30 years, serving in a variety of roles before becoming president and chief executive officer of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority three years ago. He has consistently shown his unquestioned dedication to improving health care in our province, leading the region through a challenging but necessary transformation of the health-care system," said Cameron Friesen, Minister of Health, Seniors, and Active Living. “We thank Réal for his contributions over the past three decades and wish him and his family well in all of their future endeavors.”

Cloutier will remain on as president and CEO until an interim successor is in place.