At the board meeting this week, in Invercargill, chairman Joe Butterfield thanked Mr Mackway-Jones for his service to the southern board and its predecessors, the old Otago and Southland boards.
Mr Mackway-Jones leaves later this month.
His success in improving relationships with community health trusts and others was acknowledged at Wednesday's disability support and community and public health committee meeting.
Committee chairman Malcolm Macpherson said there was a ''real sense'' of loss at the departure.