Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation appoints new CEO

By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 6, 2024.

The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation has appointed Crystal Elliott as its new Chief Executive Officer. Photo by Jes Beck Photography/www.jesbeck.com - submitted by CRHF

The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer.

Crystal Elliott has approximately 20 years of executive director experience in the non-profit sector and more than a decade of experience in healthcare in various roles.

“I am incredibly honoured and privileged to be in my new role as CEO for the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. It is for me a blending of both worlds of my years of experience, both not-for-profit, charity and healthcare,” said Elliott Monday.

Elliott said she is a registered psychiatric nurse by profession, and she originally began her career in Lethbridge, then moved to Saskatchewan where she started a career in the non-profit sector.

“I was the director of programming and HR (human resources) for an organization who worked with adults who had a disability. And then I moved back into health care for a number of years. Then my husband and I relocated back to Lethbridge, and I was Executive Director of Family Centres Society of Southern Alberta, right here in Lethbridge for 12 years,” she said.

She expressed the joy she felt working in the Family Centre and charitable sector.

“It was an incredible experience at Family Centre. I loved what I did and loved working in the charitable sector.”

Elliott voiced she is happy to be living in Lethbridge as she has family residing here.

“Moving back here is just like coming home, we’re closer to our children and grandchildren. I’m working in a sector I love. And as I mentioned, it was marrying the world of experience in both healthcare and not-for-profit.”

Elliott shared what she hopes to achieve in her new role with the foundation.

“In my first 90 days, my goal is to build relationships and get to know and express my gratitude to our donors and to our staff and volunteers. And then as we are moving forward, we’re going to look to continue to grow the foundation and build on the already really well-established base,” said Elliott.

Elliott said it’s important for the community to support the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation and that the work it does has an impact on everyone.

“I think that it’s really important to look at that we are all going to need health care. By supporting the foundation. You are supporting your friends, your family and your community. All of the donations that we receive stay right here in Lethbridge and support each and every one of us,” she said.