Elaine Pitcher o f Sault Ste. Marie has been appointed the new chair of the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN).

Pitcher has a strong background in health-care issues, having served for the past 10 years on the Sault Area Hospital Board, five of those as chair, a news release stated.

Pitcher, who was born and raised in northern Ontario, is passionate about health care because of its impact on every person. She is a firm believer in local governance, with decisions made locally that affect the people who live in those areas.

She was recently presented with the Ontario Leading Women, Building Communities Award, from the Ontario Women’s Directorate. The honour recognizes the outstanding contribution of women giving back and being leaders in their community.

Her volunteer work includes serving as chair of the board for Sault College from 1994-1997, and being a board member for the United Way, the Art Gallery of Algoma and vice-chair of the Ontario Council of Regents.