Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown will retire by the end of the year.

The health authority announced Thursday that Brown would step down after 14 years with the organization, seven of which were in the top leadership role.

Health Minister Josie Osborne thanked Brown in a statement for her 34-year career in public health.

"From her first days as a nurse in the emergency department at Vancouver General Hospital to her current role at the helm of Interior Health Authority, Susan鈥檚 lifetime of service has made a lasting impact to patients and their families across the province."

Brown, who led Interior Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, was credited for opening B.C.'s first urgent and primary care centre in Kamloops and 10 more since. New cardiac and stroke services at 琉璃神社 General Hospital, creation of the Kamloops Cancer Centre, and improvements to cultural safety and anti-racism initiatives were also listed as highlights.

鈥淒uring a time of profound uncertainty, through the COVID-19 pandemic and several natural disasters in the interior, Susan has been an extraordinary leader and a force for positive change," said Interior Health board chair Dr. Robert Halpenny in a statement. "Her leadership and presence enabled the continuation of high-quality patient care while keeping people throughout the interior safe."

Interior Health said Brown's term will run through December, and recruitment for her successor would begin immediately. 

Brown's retirement comes during a provincial government review of all seven health authorities.

Premier David Eby's mandate letter to Osborne in January included a directive to "reduce the cost of administration of the health care system to focus resources on the front line, including a review of regional health authorities, and incorporating an active role for doctors, nurses, and health science professionals in designing and implementing health-care solutions."