Lexie O’Shea leaves SDHB after 40 years
Southland Hospital will always be ‘‘special’’ for Lexie O’Shea.
A senior manager at the Southern District Health Board, O’Shea said farewell to staff yesterday, ending 40 years of work at an organisation which she ‘‘grew up’’ with.
She started working at Southland Hospital in 1977 as a freshfaced trainee medical laboratory technologist and during the next four decades has held numerous senior positions at the former Southland District Health Board and current Southern District Health Board.
O’Shea’s new challenge will be at Nelson Marlborough where she will work as the clinical service manager.
‘‘In some ways the SDHB and I have grown up together,’’ she said yesterday.
Her jobs during the years have included laboratory operations manager, quality services manager, business manager of surgical services; Southland Hospital acting general manager and, since 2005, chief operating officer and executive director of patient services.
‘‘Of course the rebuild of Southland Hospital was extremely exciting, as was the opening of our education centre last year.’’
Other highlights include supporting the merger of the Otago and Southland DHBs; the development of district teams and working on the establishment of contemporary hospital leadership.
There were many initiatives taking place which aimed at improving the experiences of patients, ranging from new technologies to better ways of managing hospital wards.
O’Shea singled out the staff as the highlight of her years at the DHB.
The work was led and imple- mented by amazing and passionate people who really care about the end result.
And they delivered superb health services and always went above and beyond for the community they served, she said.
‘‘I have had amazing experiences and worked with truly incredible people, and am grateful for everything they have taught me.’’
All DHBs had challenges because the work they did was important, making it an exciting sector to work in.
She might be heading north, but a Southlander she will remain.
‘‘I’m a Southlander, and I love our people here. Southland Hospital will always have a special place for me.
‘‘I’m proud and lucky to have spent so much of my life and career here, and honoured to have worked with extraordinary people who provide outstanding care for our people.’’