Kitchener, ON | June 3, 2026— Following its June 2, 2026, Annual General Meeting, the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) announced a significant transition in Board leadership, recognizing the contributions of two respected outgoing members while welcoming two distinguished new leaders to its Board of Directors.
Effective immediately, Dr. Vivek Goel and Kent Rice join the WRHN Board of Directors, bringing deep community ties and nationally recognized expertise in organizational quality, public health strategy, and academic leadership. Their appointments mark an exciting new chapter for WRHN as the organization continues to advance integrated care across the region.
WRHN extends sincere thanks to Garth Cressman, who is retiring from the Board, and Dr. Andreas Laupacis, who left the board a few months ago. Both contributed years of exceptional leadership and guidance during a pivotal period of healthcare transformation and the successful merger as WRHN. Their expertise and commitment helped shape a stronger, more connected health system for the community.
The Board of Directors is made up of volunteers who care deeply about the health and well-being of the communities and patients WRHN cares for, representing 10% of Ontario residents. They govern WRHN providing fiduciary oversight, guiding long-term planning, including overseeing the development and implementation of the inaugural Strategic Plan.
Dr. Vivek Goel is a distinguished physician, researcher, and academic leader who currently serves as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo (concluding his tenure on June 30, 2026). Prior to this, he held numerous senior leadership roles at the University of Toronto, including Vice President and Provost, and Vice-President, Research and Innovation. His global perspective includes serving as Chief Academic Strategist with Coursera, a leading global platform connecting universities and learners worldwide.
An eminent figure in public health, Dr. Goel was the founding President and CEO of Public Health Ontario from 2008 until 2014, and a founding scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). Dr. Goel has extensive experience in governance, serving as a past member of the Grand River Hospital Board. He obtained his medical degree from McGill University, completed post-graduate medical training in Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and holds a Master’s degree (MSc) in Community Health from U of T as well as a Master’s degree (MS) in Biostatistics from the Harvard University School of Public Health.
Kent Rice joins the WRHN Board following a distinguished 33-year career with Toyota, from which he retired in 2025 as the Group Vice President of Quality for North America. In this executive capacity, Kent was responsible for the strategic oversight of vehicle, production, and field quality across 14 manufacturing sites and three sales organizations spanning Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
During his 33-year career with Toyota, Kent built a strong record of governance, quality oversight, and enterprise leadership across North America. As Group Vice President of Quality, he oversaw quality policies, systems, and requirements for Toyota’s North American enterprise, including 14 manufacturing sites, three sales organizations, as well as research and development and purchasing functions across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
He also held responsibility for the full quality lifecycle of Toyota’s vehicles, supplier parts, service support, and accessories, working closely with government regulators on safety-related matters. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Kent brings deep expertise in organizational systems, regulatory stewardship, and continuous improvement that will strengthen WRHN’s governance and long-term strategic direction.
A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Kent is passionate about deploying his extensive experience in building robust organizational systems and continuous-improvement cultures to strengthen and support the local community.
“The addition of Kent Rice and Dr. Vivek Goel ensures that our Board remains exceptionally well positioned to guide WRHN through the evolving healthcare landscape in Ontario,” says Janet Davidson, Board Chair, WRHN. “Their combined expertise in system quality, population health, and academic leadership will be invaluable as we continue building a more integrated, high-performing health system for the communities we serve. We also extend our deepest thanks to Garth Cressman and Dr. Andreas Laupacis for their outstanding service and lasting contributions to WRHN.”
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About Waterloo Regional Health Network
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, we provide outstanding care that’s personal, seamless, and reimagined.
Learn more at WRHN.ca.
Media Contact:
Cassandra Easton
Public Affairs Lead, Waterloo Regional Health Network
[email protected]
519-584-5548