Provincial Health Minister Don McMorris announced the appointment of new board members to Saskatchewan's 12 regional health authorities May 22.
Of the 116 appointees region-wide, 66 are men, 50 are women and 16 people self-identify as First Nations or Métis. Thirty-three are new appointees.
Board members serve three terms and are responsible for "overseeing the organization, management and delivery of health services for all residents in their health regions, primarily through the CEO of the health region." Many appointees were also among the first graduates of the Health Director Education and Certification Program offered by the University of Regina's Johnson/Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.
Locally, the Prairie North Health Region had four new appointees. Bonnie O'Grady of Maidstone and Leanne Sauer of Lloydminster have returned as chair and vice-chair, respectively. Gillian Churn of Maidstone and Jane Pike of Meadow Lake have both returned to board positions. New appointees are Wayne Hoffman of North Battleford, Trevor Reid of Meadow Lake, Anil Sharma of Lloydminster and Glenn Wouters of Meota.
The Prince Albert Parkland Health Region saw a total of three new appointees. Gord Dobrowolsky and Brenda Abrametz of Prince Albert both returned as chair and vice-chair, respectively. Don Code of Prince Albert, Jerri Olson of Shell Lake and Geraldine Osmundson of Paddockwood all returned as board members. Bevra Fee of Spiritwood, Hugh Otterson of Canwood and Schirley Schwab of Big River were new appointees.
"We continue to make meaningful transformational changes in the health system to put patients first," Morris explained. "Regional health authority board members are integral to making that change happen. As I announce the appointment of 116 board members, I am pleased to say that 83 of them are being reappointed, which will enable continuity and continued progress toward our goal of more patient- and family-centred care.
