ORANGEVILLE, ON (July 24, 2024) - Headwaters Health Care Centre and Dufferin County Paramedic Service are pleased to announce the appointment of Darin Tjeerdsma as the new Deputy Chief, effective August 26, 2024. In this role, Darin will play a crucial part in advancing the mission to provide exceptional emergency medical services to the residents of Dufferin County.
"We are thrilled to welcome Darin Tjeerdsma to this pivotal role within our organization," said Dufferin County Paramedic Service Chief Gary Staples. "Darin's extensive experience, combined with her dedication to enhancing operational effectiveness and patient care, will undoubtedly strengthen our leadership team and further elevate the quality of service we provide."
Darin brings a wealth of experience and a strong background in paramedic services. Her career spans over 16 years, during which she has held various key positions within the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services, including Platoon Supervisor and Business Application Implementation Consultant. Notably, Darin has been instrumental in leading transformative projects such as the implementation of the Narcotics Tracking Application and enhancing infection control programs within the Paramedic Service.
“Taking on the role of Deputy Chief of Dufferin County Paramedic Service is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. It represents not just a career milestone, but a commitment to serving the community with excellence and compassion. I am honoured to lead alongside dedicated professionals. This role is about empowering our team, embracing innovation, and advancing the standard of emergency medical services for everyone we serve," said Darin Tjeerdsma.
In previous roles, Darin demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, overseeing daily ambulance operations, managing large teams, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. Her commitment to innovation and efficiency has been evident in her strategic involvement in digital transformation initiatives and her proactive approach to stakeholder engagement.
Beyond her paramedic credentials, Darin holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from the University of Western Ontario, a Bachelor of Business Commerce from Lakehead University and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration. She holds professional certifications in Project Management, Change Management, and Infection Prevention and Control.
-30-
Photo Caption: Deputy Chief, Dufferin County Paramedic Service, Darin Tjeerdsma.
About Dufferin County Paramedic Service
Headwaters Health Care Centre is the license holder for Dufferin County Paramedic Service (DCPS). It has a team of 70 paramedics across three stations and has its headquarters located in Orangeville with satellite stations in Shelburne and Grand Valley. It has been a provider of land ambulances for over 50 years serving over 67,000 people across Dufferin County. DCPS is a leader in enhancing its community paramedicine program providing non-emergency community-based health care; working with Headwaters Health Care Centre and other hospitals in the region to support timely access to care and pre-hospital paramedic care.
About Headwaters Health Care Centre
Headwaters Health Care Centre is an innovative hospital located in Orangeville, Ontario dedicated to quality patient-centred care together with our communities in Dufferin County-Caledon. In addition to providing acute and complex continuing care with a 24/7 Emergency Department, and extensive Ambulatory Care outpatient services, Headwaters is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, certified as a Breast Assessment Centre by the Ontario Breast Screening Program, and will be offering MRI services in early 2025. Headwaters is a cornerstone of health and wellness for the communities serving over 140,000 residents. It is one of the area's largest employers with over 800 staff, 200 physicians and six midwives and benefits from the dedication of over 200 volunteers.
Learn more at
headwatershealth.ca and support the hospital at
hhccfoundation.com. Headwaters is a proud partner in
the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team
About Dufferin County
The County of Dufferin is an upper-tier municipality that sits on the fringe of the Greater Toronto Area, about 100 kilometres northwest of Toronto. Dufferin is largely a rural county with three urban settlement areas. The region is well known for its rivers, rolling hills and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. The UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Niagara Escarpment and world-famous Bruce Trail all run through Dufferin offering spectacular vistas and hiking opportunities. Home to over 67,000 residents,
Dufferin County boasts fabulous restaurants, shopping and amenities. Connect with the County on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Hamilton, Director, Communication & Stakeholder Relations, HHCC
jhamilton@headwatershealth.ca 519-278-5085
Megan Ball, Communications Manager, County of Dufferin
mball@dufferincounty.ca 519-941-2816 Ext. 2513