Ms Laing has resigned, with her final day set to be May 3. She has taken up the Adult and Aged Services executive director role with Bellarine Community Health.
She said it was bittersweet to be leaving a workplace and a team she has loved being a part of.
“A part of me wishes I could’ve stayed until the end of the year when the rebuild will be finished but this has just become the right time,” she said.
“I’ve loved it here. Rochester is a really, really close-knit community, and they’re really loyal to the health service and very supportive of it.
“The staff have been just amazing. They’ve obviously rallied through some pretty significant crises over the last few years. During the flood event, I’m probably most proud of how everybody rose to the occasion, even at the expense of their personal lives and homes.”
REDHS’s board chair Christopher White thanked Ms Laing for her years of service.
“On behalf of the board, I thank Karen for her leadership and stewardship of the health service through this time,” Mr White said.
“The board is also particularly grateful for Karen’s leadership, coordination and governance of the health service in response to the October 2022 flood event.
“This includes the safe evacuation of patients, residents and staff from the facility along with the ongoing response to reinstate services to our community.
“I particularly want to thank Karen for her passion and strong advocacy during this time to ensure all services provided by REDHS are returned in the flood recovery.”
Mr White announced Darren Clark as the interim chief executive.
“Darren has been our director of clinical services for a number of years and has extensive experience in the aged care and health sector,” he said.
“The board is fully supportive of Darren stepping up into the role whilst recruitment for a new CEO gets underway.”
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