Nunavik health board chairperson steps down

Shirley White-Dupuis has stepped down as chairperson of the board of directors at Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, just two months after being re-elected to that position.

The health board announced her decision in a news release Tuesday, saying White-Dupuis cited “personal reasons” for her decision but didn’t specify what those reasons were.

She was first appointed to be Kuujjuaq’s representative on the board of directors in November 2015, and since then has held multiple leadership positions including being elected board vice-president in 2018 and then as chairperson for the first time in 2021.

White-Dupuis played a “pivotal role in advancing health and social services across Nunavik,” the release said, adding she strengthened community health initiatives and worked to create collaboration among regional partners.

“Shirley’s unwavering commitment and passion for improving health services in our region have left an indelible mark,” said Jennifer Munick-Watkins, the health board’s executive director, in the release.

Health board spokesperson Andreas Schaffhauser-Carpentier said an election to replace White-Dupuis will be held during the board of directors meeting this week. A new board chairperson will be announced Feb. 17.

Schaffhauser-Carpentier declined to provide further details on White-Dupuis’ departure, saying they “want to respect her privacy regarding her decision.”