Health minister appoints a pair of women to the AHS board

By Medicine Hat News on October 7, 2020.

Alberta’s minister of health recently appointed two new members to the Alberta Health Services board – Vicki Yellow Old Woman and cardiologist Dr. Sayeh Zielke.

Yellow Old Woman is an experienced financial professional and recently served as the corporate financial officer for Siksika Health Services.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled, and look forward to serving Albertans, including First Nations, through the AHS board, bringing the experience of finance as well as the First Nations perspective,” said Yellow Old Woman.

Zielke is an author, business owner and physician based in Lethbridge specializing in the treatment of patients with heart disease. She has served on the executive of the Alberta Medical Association and holds faculty appointments at the University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to serve my fellow Albertans and give back to a province that has given so much to my family and to me,” said Zielke.

The AHS board is now comprised of five women and five men.

Yellow Old Woman and Zielke will each serve three-year terms.

AHS was established in 2009 after doing away with the regional health boards. The board is established under Section 3 of the Regional Health Authorities Act and is accountable to the minister of health.

It is responsible for the governance of AHS, working in partnership with Alberta Health.