Salvus Clinic seeks new executive director

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The Salvus Clinic in Moncton is searching for a new executive director as it continues to also look for a new home.

Frances LeBlanc, chair of the Salvus Clinic board, said in an email that Melissa Baxter, who has served with the organization for more than three years, is “transitioning to another role in our community.”

“Over the next few weeks, we will be working closely with the current Executive Director and interim Executive Director to ensure a seamless transition as we work to find someone to occupy the role permanently,” said LeBlanc.

According to the Salvus Clinic website, the group’s goal is provide access to primary health care, housing support, and service navigation to people in the community who are experiencing barriers related to homelessness, poverty, mental health, and substance use.

The organization said in a social media post the executive director’s role is to manage staff and volunteers, overseeing financial management, supervising fundraising and grant writing, as well as forming connections with community, business and government agencies.

Salvus Clinic is looking for someone with leadership qualities, financial and administrative skills, problem solving and multitasking skills, and competent with social media and Microsoft Office, the group said in the post.

As for education, the executive director candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as administration, social work, or health planning, as well as experience in an executive position for a non-profit in social welfare areas.

Meanwhile, the group is also searching for a new permanent location. Brunswick News reported in December the City of Moncton entered a one-year agreement until November, 2024, with the Salvus Clinic to store the mobile medical clinic.

Baxter had said in a news release in December the mobile clinic operates on a daily basis at several service points throughout the city. Staff are also at St. George’s Anglican Church to provide service navigation. Medical appointments were being offered to patients at an alternate, temporary location.

The Salvus Clinic was located in the Peace Centre on Church Street for many years, but had to find a new spot in 2023. Baxter had said late last year they had approached several landlords, but were turned down, and could not find an adequate space in the downtown area.

Brunswick News asked for an interview, but the Salvus Clinic board declined comment.

Salvus Clinc said in a social media post earlier this week that the mobile medical clinic team is preparing for the summer. The team of registered nurses, social workers, nurse practitioners and navigators travel to shelters and treat people where they are at, and serve about 120 people every month.

They are collecting donations of sunscreen, water bottles, bug spray, and sun hats.

-With files from Alan Cochrane