The Pas, Manitoba — The Northern Health Region (NHR) released a statement on Jan. 6, 2026, saying Chief Executive Officer Raj Sewda will resign effective later in January, a development reported by CBC News on Jan. 7. The region said the board had accepted Sewda’s resignation and named an acting chief executive to ensure continuity.
Sewda began his tenure as CEO on April 1, 2023, following the retirement of long-serving CEO Helga Bryant. His time leading the region included efforts to stabilise northern health services, including telehealth expansion and My Health Team initiatives, even as facilities faced operational pressures — St. Anthony’s Hospital in The Pas temporarily closed its main entrance for repairs in October 2025, and Thompson General Hospital was formally grey-listed by the Manitoba Nurses Union in December 2025 after safety incidents.
The board has appointed Cam Ritzer as acting CEO. Ritzer, who is based in The Pas, had been the NHR’s vice-president of health services, community and continuing care and served as acting incident commander during the 2025 wildfires.
The leadership change occurs as the region continues the rollout of the My Health Team project in partnership with the Opaskwayak Health Authority and while local facilities complete repairs and operational planning.
In the region’s announcement, Acting Board Chair Kelsey Horrocks thanked Sewda for his service. The board said it has invoked an interim leadership plan to maintain operations while it considers a permanent successor.
