By: Melissa Schilz
Bluewater Health's incoming President & CEO, Paula Reaume-Zimmer, has a proven track record of success and thought leadership through her extensive work in Sarnia-Lambton. She is known for her collaborative approach, bringing teams together to create meaningful change.
As Vice President of Integrated Services at Bluewater Health and the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as the CEO of Lambton Elderly Outreach (LEO) she has demonstrated a clear determination and passion for fostering better access to healthcare within the Sarnia-Lambton community, particularly in mental health and addictions.
Reaume-Zimmer, who holds a Doctorate in Health Administration (DHA) from Central Michigan University with her research focus on Transitional Age Youth Mental Health Services, had her start in healthcare working on the floor as an inpatient psychiatric nurse at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
Throughout her career, she has held several positions in the mental health and addictions sector, and with the Emergency Department, making her leap into leadership in 2000 when she took on the role of Clinical Manager of Mental Health Services at CKHA. Reaume-Zimmer joined the Bluewater Health family in 2016 as Integrated Vice President of Mental Health and Addictions Services.
The 52 year old healthcare executive holds a wealth of experience working both on the front lines and within management roles; her insight and expertise has allowed her many opportunities to flourish professionally. Most recently, she has led the mental health and addictions portfolio, Emergency Services, Organizational Development and IT at Bluewater Health since 2016, and is a well-respected leader both locally and provincially.
In the last few years, Reaume-Zimmer has led efforts in building the community addictions hub, ACCESS Open Minds and the partnering in the launch of the Mental Health Engagement and Response team (MHEART). Leveraging her previous experience of working closely with patients and on the front line, her leadership will bring a new and fresh perspective that Bluewater Health is looking forward to embracing.
Reaume-Zimmer will continue to build on the accomplishments of current President and CEO Mike Lapaine with the support of the executive team, partners and stakeholders. Lapaine will depart from Bluewater Health at the end of this year to focus on spending more time with his family, including a new grandson.
Reaume-Zimmer will begin her new post at Bluewater Health on January 1, 2023.