HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-05-18, Page 3Wednesday,May 18, 2005
Exeter Times–Advocate
3
South Huron Hospital welcomes new CEO
Debra Hunt joined South Huron Hospital May 9 as
the hospital's new CEO. She said she hopes to bring
stability to the CEO position and increase links with
other hospitals. (photo/Scott Nixon)
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — It was quite
a first week on the job for
Debra Hunt.
South Huron Hospital's
new CEO found herself
dealing with a quarantine
as she walked into her
new role at the hospital
May 9 (see related story in
this week's Times -
Advocate).
Despite the quarantine,
which ended May 11,
Hunt said last week things
went "very well" for her
during her first week.
Hunt will have a combined
role in the area — in addi-
tion to being the new CEO
at South Huron, she
becomes a senior director
for strategic planning and
systems integration for the
Huron -Perth Healthcare
Affiance (HPHA).
Hunt said she hopes to
bring stability to the CEO
position at South Huron.
Within the last year, the
leadership role at the hos-
pital has been somewhat
of a revolving door, with
former CEO John
Sutherland resigning last
spring, followed by inter-
im CEO Michael Boucher
of St. Joseph's Health Care
in London.
The South Iluron
Hospital Association
announced in December
its intention to hire a new
CEO, resulting in Boucher
returning to his role in
London, with former hos-
pital site administrator
Janice Cosgrove returning
until Hunt's arrival.
Hunt has 32 years in the
health care field, starting
out in nursing and spend-
ing the last 12 years in
administration. Her most
recent position was direc-
tor of operations with the
Rouge Valley Health
System, where she was
responsible for a $65 mil-
lion operating budget.
So what brings Hunt to
Exeter? She says she has
a strong belief in rural
health care and ensuring
rural residents have
access to the proper ser-
vices. Originally from
Ingersoll, Hunt spent the
earlier part of her career
for Grey -Bruce Health
Services and worked as
sites director for Lion's
Head, Wiarton and
Tobermory.
After a week at South
Huron getting to know the
hospital, the staff and the
board, Hunt said she is
impressed.
"The staff are amazing,"
she said. "They're warm
and they care."
Hunt said doctors enjoy
working at South Huron
because of the positive
and caring nature of the
staff. She also credits the
hospital's foundation and
auxiliary for their dedica-
tion and knowledge.
Hunt described the hos-
pital as "well-equipped"
and busy, with a 92-93
per cent occupancy rate
for acute care. She also
noted the hospital's posi-
tive financial status,
explaining it indicates how
well the hospital has man-
aged its resources.
Hunt said South Huron's
"hospitalist model," which
sees the area's family doc-
tors providing service in
the hospital, provides con-
sistency for patients and
ensures patients have
access to health care.
One of Hunt's roles will
be to situate South Huron
within the Ministry of
Health's new Local Health
Integration Networks
(LHINs) system, a pro-
gram which involves
regional planning and
health care organization
across Ontario. South
I-Iuron's LIIIN is a large
area including London
and St. Thomas to the
south up to Owen Sound
in the north.
Hunt wants South IIuron
"to be a centre of excel-
lence" within its LHIN.
Hunt said she wants to
get to know South Huron's
staff well and support
them. She said she is
reviewing patient and staff
satisfaction to see if there
are any areas that need
improvement. Doctor and
staff retention is another
high priority. The hospital
is also working with the
municipality and the
South Huron Chamber of
Commerce on doctor
recruitment.
Hunt said her split role
between the hospital and
the Huron -Perth
Healthcare Alliance shows
the innovation of the
board. She said it provides
a real opportunity to
increase South Huron's
links with other hospitals
and community partners.
-,ANT*****TA,T\NT*
1st Annual Spring
Open House at
'Ilea's C®unfry JuhOHen
(formerly "Sumthing Special')
100 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-2435
Sat. May 21, 2005 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sun. May 22, 2005 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(closed Mon. May 23)
Come Help Celebrate Spring
and Everything New
New ownership and New name
New look and New products
A collection of creativity and gifts
for you and your home or garden.
Vendors always welcome.
Surprise FREE draws
throughout the weekend.
17NT**bk*
***
Thirteen hundred ducks
raced down the Ausable
River Saturday morning
trying to claim the prize
as fastest duck in the
Exeter Lions -Exeter
Hawks Duck Race. The
grand prize winner of
$1,000 was Karlee
Frederick of Northbay
with proceeds raised
going to community pro-
jects and the hockey
team. (photo/Pat Bolen)
SEAS:.NALS
GARDEN DESIGN X. DECOR
OPENING MAY 20, 2005
THE OUTDOOR
GARDEN DECOR STORE
Arbours Trellises Bird Baths
Benches Wall Decor Bird Houses
Water Features Statuary and more
294 Main Street, South, Exeter 235-4611
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