A Bermudian woman is to take the helm next year as CEO of the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB).Venetta Symonds took the job of acting CEO in 2006, during the international recruitment process that saw present CEO David Hill appointed to the job. She has worked since as Deputy CEO.Mr Hill’s five-year tenure ends on April 6 of next year, and Mrs Symonds will take his role the following day.The BHB said that one of the “key deliverables” for Mr Hill had been to ensure that a Bermudian succeeded him at the end of his contract, as part of its programme to develop talented Bermudian leaders.Mr Hill said that his successor’s experience with the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s redevelopment project would be “vital to ensure it continues successfully to completion”.Mrs Symonds has worked for the BHB for 31 years, starting as a radiographer after acquiring her Bachelor’s Degree in Radiologic Technology in 1980 from the University of Tennessee Centre for the Health Sciences.A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and of the Advisory Board Company, she sits on the Bermuda Employer’s Council executive committee, as well as the Council for the Allied Health Professions.Mrs Symonds became Chief Operating Officer for support services in 2000, and Organisational Review Officer in 2004.Calling the past five years “both exciting and challenging”, Mrs Symonds said she would continue “the momentum of positive change” of Mr Hill’s leadership.Health Minister Zane DeSilva said: “I salute the Board who have worked with great foresight to ensure a well-planned change of leadership at BHB at this most important time, and for meeting their own goal of identifying and developing a qualified Bermudian to take over the reins.”