Niagara Health fired its chief executive officer Wednesday, days after he admitted taking a Christmas holiday to the Caribbean in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Tom Stewart was CEO of the Niagara hospitals under a contractual agreement between Niagara Health and Hamilton-based St. Joseph's Health System.

The Niagara Health board decided to end that deal, effective immediately, spokesperson Caroline Bourque Wiley said in a news release.

Lynn Guerriero, current president of Niagara Health, will become president and interim CEO.

Stewart took what was initially described as an “approved” vacation to the Dominican Republic over the holidays, despite government and health officials advising the public to stay home due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

He is one of a long, growing list of prominent officials and politicians across the country who ignored health advisories about travelling.

Those out-of-country trips, taken while the public was forced to spend the holidays at home in lockdown in Ontario and elsewhere prompted a firestorm of criticism.

Stewart has already been forced to resign from a number of high-profile advisory boards. It is unclear what his status is at St. Joseph's.

At Niagara Health, Bourque Wiley said, “Our staff and physicians have earned the deepest respect of our community for their hard work and dedication during the pandemic. The Niagara Health board of directors are very proud of their extraordinary efforts.”