By Allison Werbowetsky
Southwest Saskatchewan

Jim Hornell officially announced his resignation as chief executive officer of the Cypress Health Region Feb. 8.

He will continue to serve in his position as CEO until April 23, at which time he will relocate to his new position at the Brant Community Healthcare System in Brantford, Ontario.

The Newfoundland-born Hornell will leave Swift Current will mixed emotions. He admittedly enjoyed his three-and-a-half years here in southwest Saskatchewan.

“My wife and I, we didn’t know a soul here, and this place has been very welcoming to us. We’ve met a tremendous number of friends and we’re going to find that it’s certainly very difficult to leave,” Hornell commented.

His new position will name him president and CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System, an opportunity that will allow him to reach a new level in his health-care career and continue to grow as a leader.
Cypress Health Authority board chair Tyler Bragg says Hornell’s decision to move on and further his career in a place such as Brantford was an inevitable one.

“Jim’s leadership skills and top-notch qualities were ones that made him highly marketable, in such that he has turned down similar offers from around the country over the last two years,” Bragg said.

Bragg, the other board members and Hornell will discuss the appointment of an interim CEO until a permanent recruitment option is confirmed.

On average, the recruitment process of a new CEO takes several months and usually involves the aid of an outside agency. There have been no decisions made yet as to whether or not the position will be filled internally or by someone outside the health region.

Until then, Bragg is confident the senior management team will serve the region well during the transition.
“Over the two years that I’ve been here I’ve seen our senior management team blossom, and I have no doubt in my mind that we will continue on with all of the initiatives that we have currently going on. Not to discount all the things that Jim has done, but we have a great senior management team and we will move forward,” he said.

Hornell thanked Bragg, the other board members, members of the previous board, the senior management team and all residents of the Cypress Health region.

“In most cases, I’ve certainly been treated very cordial and we’ve worked (together) to solve problems,” he said.

The changing, and often demanding, health care in southwest Saskatchewan was not a contributing factor in Hornell’s decision to leave his position here.

“There will continue to be challenges in the southwest. Anyone coming in here will recognize that that’s going to be the case, and like I say, they’re no different than the challenges that are going on in other parts of Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada. So, it’s not like you’re leaving it behind,” Hornell said.

Issues such as physician shortages and high demands for services in dispersed or low-populated rural areas are common anywhere you go, he added.

This was Hornell’s first role as CEO of a regional health organization, one he will likely never forget.
He admits his decision to resign at this point in time may be seen as a tad premature. However, timing is never perfect, he said.

“There’s some things that I have to say I would liked to have seen through. I’ve got three capital projects underway that I would love to have seen further along in the process,” Hornell explained.

“There’s never a good time to leave, and the offer I was made was quite an attractive offer. It was in an area that was appealing to my wife and I, and career-wise, I think they have some challenges in Ontario now that I have some unique skill sets that will help me succeed there,” he added.

Hornell’s wife Mariam, who was at her husband’s side during the announcement, is excited about moving back out east.

“We’ll be a little closer to family. One plane ride from Toronto, hopefully, to Newfoundland, which is nice. Right now, it probably takes a full day or a little more to get home. We still have children in Newfoundland, so it’s a strong draw for us to be a little closer,” she said.