Mark Blandford

Background

About Mark Blandford

Mark started life as a British Police Officer with the Hampshire Constabulary, UK. Mark left the Police Service in his late twenties and graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1986 from the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK and shortly afterward moved to Nova Scotia to begin his healthcare career in earnest. Following a move to Victoria BC in 1991 Mark worked in a variety of rehab and geriatrics programs culminating in him joining the then fledgling Assisted Living Program at what is now Island Health. Mark was part of the team that developed Island Health’s Assisted Living program becoming its manager in 2006. Completion of his Master’s Degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University led to leadership roles including Director of Development at the non-profit Beacon Community Services as well as senior management roles in Island Health’s Long Term Care, Seniors Health and Home & Community Care programs. From 2014-16, Mark was seconded from Island Health to the BC Ministry of Health as Deputy Seniors Advocate with the Office of the Seniors Advocate for BC. As deputy Advocate, Mark was responsible for leading the research team that supported the Advocates reports as well as the staff supporting requests and concerns from ). In 2016 Mark returned to Island Health as Clinical Director for the Victoria General Hospital responsible for all clinical programs except laboratory, medical imaging programs. Mark had regional operational responsibility for rehabilitation services and Brain Health services. In 2019 Mark was appointed Executive Director for Primary and Seniors Care Strategy. responsible for Long Term Care beds and Assisted Living units. In this role Mark led the initial response to COVID-19 in the seniors care realm. In late 2020, Mark was appointed to the role of Vice-President Seniors Care and Clinical Operations for Providence Healthcare where his main role was to oversea the 650 LTC bed portfolio. Effective December 1st, 2022 Mark was appointed CEO of Providence Living, a stand alone not for profit organization specializing in seniors care. PLS was created in 2017 by Providence Health Care to ensure continued focus on the pressing needs facing seniors in British Columbia. Mark relinquished his VP role at PHC in April 2025 to focus on the fast expanding Providence Living organization. Mark is a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists the Canadian College of Health Leaders and a Registered Occupational Therapist in good standing with COTBC.