The Board of Directors of Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is pleased to announce that Noel Bennett has been appointed as the hospital’s next Interim President & CEO. Noel will step into this role on September 25, 2026.

Noel currently serves as Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) at PRHC. He joined the hospital as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2008, and over nearly two decades with the hospital, has taken on progressively senior roles – including manager and then director of Emergency and Critical Care – before joining the hospital’s senior leadership team in 2021.

Guided by Noel’s leadership and vision, PRHC launched one of the first Nursing Strategies in Canada in 2025 and hosted its inaugural Nursing Symposium and Nursing Innovation Awards in the same year. He has been an instrumental force in advancing the hospital’s strategic goals, working in close collaboration with the leadership team, staff across the organization, and partners at the local, regional and provincial levels over the last several years.

“The Board of Directors has every confidence in Noel’s leadership, and we look forward to seeing him make this move into PRHC’s top role,” said Scott Milligan, Chair of PRHC’s Board of Directors. “This hospital has made great strides on its strategic goals over the last two years, and we anticipate a smooth transition in the fall between two leaders who share a bold and ambitious vision for the future of this hospital. Noel’s many years of experience, and his deep connection and commitment to PRHC’s continued success, are key factors that will serve this hospital well as progress on these goals continues.”

“It’s an honour and a privilege to take on leadership of PRHC at such an important time, and I want to thank the Board of Directors for this incredible opportunity,” said Noel. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our dedicated leadership team to maintain the momentum we’ve been building, to achieve the ambitious goals we’ve set out for ourselves, and to support the people of this organization as we fulfill our shared purpose as one team, here when you need us most.”

As PRHC prepares for this transition, the Board recognizes and thanks Dr. Lynn Mikula for her many contributions to PRHC over the years as a leader and a physician. She will leave the hospital this fall for a new challenge as President & CEO of Sinai Health in Toronto.

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About Peterborough Regional Health Centre:

  • With 500 inpatient beds, PRHC is a regional acute care referral centre serving one of the fastest growing and aging populations in Canada across a broad urban and rural geography extending north to Haliburton, south to Northumberland, east to Quinte, and west to Durham.
  • Our 2024-2029 Strategic Plan highlights PRHC’s purpose as One team, here when you need us most. Learn more about PRHC’s strategic plan here.
  • PRHC is working to meet the growing demand for care in our community and region. With the support of generous donors through the PRHC Foundation, we aim to empower world-class care, closer to home; fuel innovation and bring new, life-saving services to our region; attract the best and brightest healthcare professionals; and find solutions to critical hospital challenges. Find out more about the Campaign for PRHC here: prhcfoundation.ca/the-campaign-for-prhc

For more information:

Michelene Ough | Director, Communications & Public Affairs | mough@prhc.on.ca