Patrick Whalen brings more than 20 years of occupational health and safety and human resources leadership in B.C. and SWITCH BC experience to his new role as Executive Director, Operations.

Patrick has served on SWITCH BC’s Technical Advisory Committee since 2022.

A strategic, collaborative, and dynamic senior leader, Patrick has a demonstrated history of successfully collaborating with teams and partners at the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) and WorkSafeBC.

At PHSA, Patrick worked closely alongside operational teams and clinical staff to identify, develop, and implement new health and safety programs and implement best practices. He partnered effectively with other health authorities, health unions, and the Ministry of Health to implement provincial, system-wide approaches to health and safety initiatives.

At WorkSafeBC, Patrick led the implementation of workplace health and safety initiatives and programs for public sector organizations in B.C., including health authorities, universities, and municipalities.

“We are so pleased to have Patrick bring his occupational health and safety experience to our team. Not only does Patrick deliver on quality health and safety programs that health care workers need, he also lives the values of SWITCH BC by being a caring leader who brings out the best in his staff and in his partnerships,” said SWITCH BC CEO Victoria Schmid.

Patrick will be leading SWTCH BC’s key priority programs: the OHS Resource Centre, the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum refresh, Psychological Health and Safety Management System, and the Community Physician Health and Safety program.