Staff at Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals are saying goodbye to Phil Cammish and hello to their new chief executive officer today.

Phil is retiring next week after 10 years as the Bay of Plenty District Health Board CEO.

Helen Mason will be taking over as the new CEO of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

His successor Helen Mason steps into the role, having already worked with the Bay of Plenty District Health Board for 17 years in a number of roles.

During his tenure Phil has led the board through significant growth in both services and facilities, including the introduction of cardiac angioplasty and a world class stroke service, as well as the rebuilding of Tauranga Hospital and the building of a new hospital at Whakatane.

Phil's insistence on quality-based approaches is key to the DHB being recognised by the NZ Business Excellence Foundation. It is the first DHB in New Zealand to gain bronze status in the NZBEF quality programme.

'Phil has made a valuable contribution to both the BOPDHB and the community we serve in his role as chief executive,” says board chair Sally Webb at the time his resignation was announced.

'He should be proud of the progress this DHB has made under his leadership.

'I know he will be sincerely missed by the board and DHB staff. We all wish him every success for the future.”

Helen's recent roles are General Manager Innovation and Special Projects and formerly as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Planning and Funding.

Originally from Zimbabwe, she has also worked in Scotland, England and Australia.

Helen started her career in health as a registered nurse and midwife before moving into the private health sector and the pharmaceutical industry.

Helen started with the Bay of Plenty District Health Board as a Flexi nurse at Tauranga Hospital, before becoming a Nurse Manager and then a Decision Support Advisor.

As general manager planning and funding, she was accountable for leading strategic planning and for purchasing a wide range of primary and secondary health care services.

As Chief Operating Officer, Helen led the delivery of secondary health services through hospitals in Tauranga and Whakatane and community health centres at Opotiki, Te Kaha and Murupara.