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Medavie welcomes Seasoned Industry Innovator to Board

February 22, 2016

MONCTON, NB—Michael Decter, Chair of the Board of Directors of Medavie, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Myrna Francis to the Board.

“Myrna’s extensive experience in the health care and IT industries spans both the public and private sectors as well as national and international borders. Her wealth of knowledge and proven industry leadership will help us as we continue to implement new and innovative solutions that evolve health care in Canada,” said Decter. “On behalf of Medavie, I am proud to welcome Myrna to the Board.”

As the President of Mfran Enterprises, Myrna provides strategic advisory services regarding health and technology to the public sector and multi-national companies. Previously, she held executive positions at several international technology companies including CGI, IBM, CSC Healthcare, and was CEO of Canada Health Infoway during its start-up phase. In the public sector, she held multiple provincial government executive positions pertaining to health policy and services.

Myrna is currently a volunteer advisor to Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District, an incubator for start-up health care and health IT companies. She has previously advised multiple start-ups and small companies including MedWorxx, HealthCare 365, Genyous Inc., and bSharpe Technologies. She has also held several board directorship positions including at Allstate Canada, RxCanada, Cedara Software, George Brown College, and the Ontario Hospital Association.

Myrna earned her Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from McMaster University, and received a Bargaining and Negotiation certification from Harvard Law School.

“I am thrilled to join the Medavie Board at such an exciting and innovative time for the organization,” said Dr. Francis. “I look forward to contributing to the advancement of the company’s vision in helping Canadians think differently about the future of health care.” Myrna joins Michael Decter, Pierre-Yves Julien, Edward Barrett, Bernard Lord, Ed Martin, Kelly Nelson, Jean-Pierre Provencher, Marian Walsh, Kim West, Mike Wilson, and Karen Cramm as the newest member of the Medavie Inc. Board of Directors.

About Medavie

Medavie is an out-of-hospital health services company. We integrate benefits management, health management and health care delivery through two operating companies, Medavie Blue Cross and Medavie EMS. Together, with our more than 6,000 employees, we are committed to providing innovative solutions that will help build a healthy Canada. And from our perspective, this will require Canadians to think about health care differently.

With over one million cardholders throughout Canada, Medavie Blue Cross a not-for-profit organization that provides health, dental, travel, life and income replacement products to small and large companies and individual customers. We also administer various government sponsored health programs, including Veterans Affairs Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Medavie EMS is the largest provider of Emergency Medical Services in Canada and largest ambulance operator in Massachusetts. Our operations span ground and air ambulance services, medical communications, clinical training, and community health solutions.

Our commitment to a different kind of health care is further evidenced in the Medavie Health Foundation, where we channel 10 per cent of annual net income to improve the health of Canadians in the areas of child and youth mental health and type 2 diabetes.