On September 10th, Island Health notified the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) and announced to the larger community that their current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elise Cutter, would be stepping down in the coming months. OIHCD Superintendent Chord and the Board of Directors thanks Elise Cutter for her years of partnership and support.

OIHCD is grateful for the strong partner and advocate CEO Cutter has been in continuing to support Island Primary Care - Orcas. As the Island Health Chief Financial Officer, Cutter was involved in the initial contract negotiations with OIHCD in 2020-2021, which brought Island Health back to Orcas as a Provider Based Rural Health Clinic, ensuring long-term Medicare/Medicaid sustainability.  In 2025, as CEO, Cutter led the contract negotiations with OIHCD leadership in a transparent and collaborative manner, acknowledging uncertainties around the healthcare financial landscape for Rural communities, while committing to a long-term partnership with Orcas.

Cutter has been responsive and accessible to OIHCD leadership and the board, while ensuring close relationships developed with the Chief of Ambulatory Services, Colin Walker, and Orcas Clinic Manager, Aaimee Johnson, as well as other members of the administrative team. Walker serves as the district's main point of contact with Island Health, while Aaimee partners with the district on day-to-day operations. 

Cutter plans to continue in her position until Island Health puts an interim CEO in place,  while they pursue a nationwide search for a permanent CEO replacement.

For more information about the announcement, see the Press Release on the Island Health website, here.

Article Link: https://islandhealth.org/news/island-health-announces-transition-in-chief-executive-leadership/