Surrey, B.C. – October 17, 2025 – Surrey Hospitals Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Larry Thomas as its new Board Chair. A lifelong resident of Surrey and a Foundation Director since 2006, Mr. Thomas brings deep roots, proven leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the community he has long served.
Mr. Thomas has long been recognized as a trusted community leader whose career has been defined by service, collaboration, and advocacy. Over his decades with the City of Surrey, he helped shape the growth of the Surrey Fire Service into one of the most progressive departments in Canada and worked closely with civic, provincial, and federal partners to advance public safety and community wellbeing. Beyond his professional role, he has been actively involved in numerous local initiatives supporting youth, emergency preparedness, and community health, reflecting his deep commitment to building a resilient and caring Surrey.
“Surrey has been my home and my life’s work,” said Mr. Thomas. “I’ve watched this city evolve over decades, and I believe that strong health care must evolve with it. I have served on this board because I care deeply about ensuring that residents south of the Fraser have access to exceptional care, close to home.”
Mr. Thomas recently retired as Fire Chief of Surrey, where he was recognized nationally as Fire Chief of the Year for his exemplary leadership and service. His experience leading large teams and building partnerships across all levels of government will be invaluable as the Foundation continues to strengthen health care delivery for Surrey’s rapidly growing population.
He succeeds Harp Dhillon, who guided the Foundation through a pivotal period of transformation and growth. During his tenure, the new Surrey Hospital in Cloverdale and second acute care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital were announced, along with major initiatives such as the cardiac catheterization labs and interventional radiology suites. Mr. Dhillon’s leadership was instrumental in redefining relationships with government and health partners, while deepening donor and community engagement to support these historic milestones.
“Larry brings clarity, purpose, and genuine dedication to this role,” said Nicole Robson, President & CEO of Surrey Hospitals Foundation. “His collaborative approach will ensure our investments continue to align with Surrey’s most urgent health needs. Under his guidance, we will continue to turn vision into lasting impact as we build for the future of health care in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.”
As the officially designated health care foundation for the City of Surrey and the largest non-government funder of health care in the region, Surrey Hospitals Foundation has invested philanthropically for over 32 years to strengthen care at Surrey Memorial Hospital, the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care & Surgery Centre, the Czorny Alzheimer Centre, and other specialized sites. This includes support for the new Surrey Hospital in Cloverdale and a second acute care tower at Surrey Memorial, currently under construction. The Foundation also continues to foster partnerships and collaborations that will help build a stronger, more connected health system and a comprehensive continuum of care for the future.
This leadership transition coincides with the addition of new voices to the Board: Ashish Arora, Barinder Bhullar, Jason Boyer, Kirk Fisher, Richard Fung, and Sumeet Sangha — distinguished professionals across diverse fields whose expertise strengthens the Foundation’s governance and strategic direction.
They join existing members Ron Knight, Paul Deol, Dr. Randeep Gill, Jacy Wingson, Nancy McNeill, Marten Van Huizen, Harry Bains, and Rich Dillon, whose collective experience continues to guide the Foundation’s work in advancing health excellence for Surrey and the South Fraser region.
