McKesson Canada has announced the appointment of Paula Keays as president, effective immediately. In her new role, Keays will lead 4,000 employees and be responsible for McKesson’s distribution solutions offerings in Canada, including pharmaceutical distribution, pharmacy technology, specialty pharmacy and infusion, procurement, and independent retail banner solutions.
Keays, who will report to Paul C. Julian, executive vice president and group president, will be responsible for driving sales, marketing and operations for the business.
“I have worked alongside Paula for over 15 years, I’ve been impressed by her vision, drive, and commitment to operational excellence,” said Julian. “Our customers, business partners and employees will be well served by her leadership style, deep understanding of health care and passion for customer service.”
Prior to this appointment, Keays served as McKesson Canada’s senior vice president, Pharmaceutical Distribution and Operations. In this position, she led one of McKesson Canada’s largest portfolios and was responsible for sales, marketing, and operations. Under Keays’ leadership, McKesson Canada successfully advanced its network optimization, which has helped deliver significant operational efficiencies and improvements to the overall business. She also drove the design and introduction of important sales and operations team initiatives which has enhanced customer service, strengthened business partnership and created shared success for customers across Canada.
Since joining McKesson in 2000, Keays has held increasingly senior positions, including vice president and corporate controller, vice president and chief financial officer, and senior vice president, chief financial officer and Six Sigma.
“I am honoured to be taking on my new role as president of McKesson Canada,” said Keays. “Canada’s health care environment is becoming increasingly complex. Together with our people and our partners I’m looking forward to leading through an important moment in our history as we focus on our customers to deliver better value and patient care for Canadians from coast-to-coast.”
Until a new senior vice president, Pharmaceutical distribution and Operations is appointed, Keays will continue to oversee the operations of the Pharmaceutical distribution and Operations portfolio in addition to her responsibilities as president.
McKesson Canada partners with insurers, hospitals, physicians’ offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting.
