Philip Friesen

Director of Long-Term Care Operations, Island Health

Philip is a health care executive with over 20 years of leadership experience. As the Director of Long-Term Care Operations for Island Health Authority, was overseeing 14 sites, 1,800 beds, 2,500 employees. He successfully merged two LTC sites into the largest publicly funded LTC site in Western Canada during the pandemic. Now is overseeing operations in western communities of Victoria and in the Cowichan Valley & Chemainus, along with project work on some new builds. 

Philip has managed patient flow at Victoria's two tertiary hospitals and led multiple health care programs. His background includes international development in Southeast Asia and entrepreneurship, having owned several small businesses. He also a Dietitian and previously was a trained chef and served as an executive chef in a five-star hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

Philip holds a Master's degree in Health Studies (Leadership), a Bachelor's degree in Health Care Management, a degree in Nutritional Sciences, and a degree in Theological Studies. He is working towards becoming a Certified Health Executive (CHE) and has completed various leadership, conflict resolution and change management programs. He is a member of the Canadian College of Health Executives and has served on the Board of Directors for the Eldercare Foundation in Victoria, BC.