Vancouver Clinic to Name New Medical Chief
The physician-owned practice will transition leadership as Dr. Alfred Seekamp prepares for his retirement at year-end.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
Vancouver Clinic has announced that Erik Geissal will assume the role of chief medical officer starting November 1, 2026. He will succeed Alfred Seekamp, who is retiring after a 30-year career with the medical practice.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a significant transition for the large, independent physician-owned group. This move ensures a planned transfer of responsibility within the clinic's executive management team.
Vancouver Clinic currently maintains operations across 20 locations with a workforce of 600 clinicians and 2,000 total employees. The practice has been providing medical services for 90 years.
The players
Erik Geissal
He is the incoming chief medical officer who previously served as the chief medical information officer since 2018.
Alfred Seekamp
He is the outgoing chief medical officer who is retiring after a 30-year tenure at the practice.
Vancouver Clinic
This independent, physician-owned medical practice has operated in the Pacific Northwest for 90 years.
The details
Erik Geissal currently serves as the chief medical information officer, a role he has held since joining the organization in 2018. The clinic board selected him to lead the staff through the upcoming transition.
Timeline
November 1, 2026: Erik Geissal becomes chief medical officer.
November and December 2026: Alfred Seekamp serves as CMO Emeritus.
December 31, 2026: Alfred Seekamp retires from Vancouver Clinic.
Market Landscape
The appointment of Erik Geissal follows the governance structure and timeline established by the 2026 clinic board succession plan. This orderly transition secures the leadership continuity required for a large, physician-owned medical practice to remain competitive.
Patients of the practice will experience no changes to their access to care or medical services during the transition. The shift is an internal administrative move intended to maintain the clinic's ongoing operational standards.
The takeaway
Planned leadership successions in medical groups are essential for maintaining stable patient care and administrative continuity. Residents can expect the clinic to continue its standard operations throughout the two-month transition period.
What happens next
Alfred Seekamp will formally retire from the practice on December 31, 2026, following his two-month period serving as CMO Emeritus.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vancouver Business Journal.
