Fonds ChUn 12 - United Church Health Services Society Medical Director fonds

In 1959, Dr. George E. Darby became the first Hospital Coordinator for all of the United Church hospitals in Canada. Dr. Darby had just retired after forty-five years of service as the Medical Superintendent of the R.W. Large Memorial Hospital at Bella Bella. The Hospital Superintendent's position was part time, reporting to the Board of Home Missions at the General Council office in Toronto. Dr. Darby died suddenly in 1962, and was succeeded by Dr. W. Donald Watt, who had previously been the Superintendent of Bella Coola General Hospital. Watt's title was changed to "Superintendent of Hospitals and Medical Missionary Work,” and the position became full time. In 1972, the Board of Home Missions was incorporated into the new Division of Mission in Canada, to whom the Superintendent now reported.

In 1987, Dr. Watt retired and was succeeded by Dr. Peter J. Newbery. When Dr. Newbery took over the position, the title was changed to "Director of United Church Health Services.” In the late 1990s, oversight for the remaining United Church hospitals in British Columbia was moved to BC Conference, and the Director reported to the BC Conference Executive Secretary. Dr. Newbery remained as the Director until he was succeeded by Dr. Ray McIlwain in 2001. Dr. McIlwain had joined the R.W. Large Memorial Hospital in 1974, acting as its Administrator from 1979 to 1981 before becoming the Administrator at Bella Coola General Hospital. Dr. McIlwain stepped down as Director at the end of 2004. Dr. Newbery took up the role of Acting Director until November 2007 when Dr. David Arnold took over as Director. In 2008, the United Church Health Services incorporated into the United Church Health Services Society (UCHSS); the title of the position changed to "Medical Director”and reported to the UCHSS Board. In October 2011, Dr. Arnold stepped down as Medical Director. Thereafter the position was not filled; rather, each hospital in B.C. had its own medical director reporting to the UCHSS. In 2016, the Wrinch Memorial Hospital, the last of the United Church hospitals in B.C. was turned over to Vancouver Coastal Health.