Jim Hornell has announced his intention to resign as CEO of the Cypress Health Region to assume a similar position in Ontario.
Hornell's final day on the job will be April 23, after which he will leave to serve as the President and CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System in Brantford, Ont.
Hornell admitted ending his three-and-a-half-year association with the Health Region was a bittersweet decision. Hornell was the second CEO of the Cypress Health Region, serving at the helm of the region since Sept. 2006.
“It’s with mixed emotions really that I’m here today and announcing my resignation. It is an opportunity to go to a new level in my healthcare career,” he said during a press conference on Monday afternoon. “It certainly is going to be a challenge, but one I think that I’m up for.”
His new position will place him at the helm of the healthcare delivery system for a city of 120,000 people, plus the added responsibility for healthcare in a neighbouring community.
“The offer that I was made was quite an attractive offer. It was in an area that was appealing to my wife and I, and from career wise, they have some challenges in Ontario now that I have some unique skill sets that’ll help me succeed there.”
Professionally, Hornell said his time in Swift Current stands out, with his duties marking the first time he served as the CEO of a regional healthcare organization.
“It was an opportunity to interact with a health system, on the Saskatchewan level, that was very innovative. And I think I was able to recognize that if you have the right people at the table, and the right environment and the culture, that you can play a big roll in shaping parts of the provincial health system. And I think Cypress Health Region has done that. It has been reassuring to me that you don’t have to be a big health region to have an impact on the provincial scene.”
Tyler Bragg, Chairperson of the Cypress Regional Health Authority, described Monday’s announcement as another step in the evolution of the region.
“Without a doubt I have mixed emotions that we’re announcing this today. Jim is an extremely valuable member of the Cypress team. His leadership and commitment to healthcare has been a tremendous asset, and he will be missed. However we’re very happy for Jim and his family, as he takes on another positive step in his healthcare career. Southwestern Saskatchewan’s loss is certainly Southern Ontario’s gain,” Bragg said.
