The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux des Laurentides, the regional health authority serving the Laurentides region north of Montreal, has formally introduced the president and vice-president of its establishment board of directors, confirming leadership appointments that have been in effect since late 2024.
The organization announced that Rola Helou serves as board chair, while Martin Levac has been named vice-chair. Both bring senior management experience from outside the health institution, reflecting the governance model adopted across Quebec’s public health network.
Governance Background
Under Quebec’s health system structure, CISSS organizations are responsible for coordinating hospital care, long-term care, youth protection, rehabilitation services and community health programs within their territories. Their establishment boards provide oversight, strategic direction and accountability, working alongside executive management.
Rola Helou has been involved in the CISSS des Laurentides governance structure for over a decade. According to the organization, she has sat on its board since 2015 and became chair in October 2024. Her background combines education and public administration. She previously served as executive director of the First Nations Adult Education School Council and has held multiple board roles in the health and social services sector.
Helou holds a master’s degree in education from McGill University and a master’s degree in public administration from the École nationale d’administration publique. She is currently director general of Solution S.O.A.R., a consulting firm.
Martin Levac, the newly appointed vice-chair, has built his career in financial management and risk oversight. Since 2017, he has served as general manager of the Caisse Desjardins du Réseau de la santé, a financial cooperative serving members of Quebec’s health sector. He has worked within the Desjardins network for more than 20 years.
Levac holds a master of business administration from the Université du Québec à Montréal and a digital marketing certification from HEC Montréal. In addition to his professional roles, he is involved in community initiatives, according to the CISSS.
Experience at a Time of Pressure
The appointments come as Quebec’s health institutions continue to face sustained operational and financial pressures. Across the province, CISSS and CIUSSS organizations are navigating workforce shortages, service backlogs and the implementation of reforms aimed at improving access and accountability.
While the Laurentides region has experienced rapid demographic growth over the past decade, health infrastructure and staffing levels have struggled at times to keep pace. Regional facilities, including hospitals and long-term care centres, have reported periodic strain, particularly during winter months when respiratory illnesses increase demand.
Board leadership in this context carries responsibility for overseeing governance, financial stewardship and alignment with provincial directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The chair and vice-chair do not manage day-to-day operations, which fall under executive leadership, but they play a key role in strategic oversight and institutional accountability.
In a statement issued by the organization, Benoît Major, associate president and chief executive officer of CISSS des Laurentides, said the complementary experience of the two appointees would strengthen the board’s capacity to support the institution’s mandate of delivering care and services to the region’s population.
Oversight and Public Expectations
Public scrutiny of health governance has intensified in Quebec in recent years, particularly following system-wide challenges exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent reform efforts. Boards are expected to demonstrate transparency, ensure responsible use of public funds and contribute to measurable improvements in patient care.
Helou’s prior board experience within the CISSS may offer continuity in governance, while Levac’s background in finance and risk management aligns with broader provincial efforts to reinforce fiscal oversight across health institutions.
Neither appointment signals a shift in operational leadership, but together they complete the current executive and governance structure of the CISSS des Laurentides board.
As the Laurentides region continues to grow and age, the performance of its public health network will remain closely watched by residents and provincial authorities alike. The effectiveness of board governance, including the roles now held by Helou and Levac, will be assessed not by announcements but by outcomes in service delivery, accessibility and financial stability in the years ahead.
