(Miramichi) September 23, 2015 - Dr. Michael Hayden is the new Chief of Staff for Miramichi  and surrounding area. Dr. Hayden will assume his new duties effective November 1, 2015. He replaces Dr. Michael Dickinson who has held this position since 2011.

A Miramichi native, Dr. Hayden graduated from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his Doctor of Medicine, cum laude from Dalhousie University in 1990. After receiving his degree he completed his rotating internship at Dalhousie in 1991 before returning to Miramichi to practice medicine in his hometown.

As an active member of the Miramichi Regional Hospital for the past 25 years, Dr. Hayden has held a number of leadership roles including Chief of the Emergency Department and Medical Director for the Miramichi area since Horizon's inception in 2008. These roles have enabled Dr. Hayden to gain valuable exposure to and experience in the varied responsibilities of medical administration.

"I am pleased to be given the privilege, and challenge, of serving as the new Local Chief of Staff for the Miramichi area," said Dr. Hayden. "I am grateful for the confidence being shown in me to take on this leadership position. I believe I have the background and abilities to address the many issues that impact the quality of medical care in our area."

As the Local Chief of Staff of Miramichi and surrounding area, Dr. Hayden is responsible to advise the Regional Medical Advisory Committee on the quality of care and safety topics as well as advise the Regional Chief of Staff on items involving health care access for the people of Miramichi and surrounding area. Dr. Hayden will also chair the Local Medical Advisory Committee for the Miramichi area.

Dr. Thomas Barry, Chief of Staff for Horizon Health Network, thanked outgoing local Chief of Staff, Dr. Dickinson for his contribution to Miramichi and the surrounding area. "Dr. Dickinson has and will continue to be an integral part of the medical team in Miramichi," said Dr. Barry. "Horizon's senior management team and I are extremely grateful to Dr. Dickinson for his ongoing efforts to ensure high quality health care for the people of the Miracmichi area."