Santé Québec abolishes executive vice-president position held by Frédéric Abergel

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announces the appointment of Geneviève Biron, left, head of Sante Québec, and Frédéric Abergel, then chief operating officer, on Monday 29 April 2024 in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Just over two weeks after firing the executive vice-president of Santé Québec, Frédéric Abergel, the head of the government corporation has decided to abolish the post.

Santé Québec stated in a press release that this change will bring about “a new management mode” that will divide responsibilities “into two complementary poles.”

In an effort to “streamline the organization,” Santé Québec claims that these changes will reduce the number of managers by 20 per cent.

“A number of managers working in these teams will see their roles and responsibilities redefined,” the agency wrote.

On Friday, Santé Québec President and CEO Geneviève Biron appointed Maryse Poupart to the new position of Vice-President - Operations and Health and Social Services Coordination.

Poupart, who was previously CEO of the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, will be responsible for coordinating pre-hospital and hospital services. She will also be responsible for youth, public health, the elderly and housing, mental health and dependency, among other issues.

By splitting the role of Executive Vice-President in two, Santé Québec has created the position of Vice-President - Clinical Excellence, for which an appointment has not yet been made.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 21, 2025.

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