Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) CEO Scott Livingstone has stepped down from his role effective immediately, the SHA board of directors announced Thursday morning.
“The Board is grateful for Scott’s leadership during the creation of the SHA and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” a release stated.
“As CEO, Scott demonstrated a commitment to patient- and family-centred care and provided stability during a time of substantial change and significant pressures on the health system due to COVID.”
The board has selected Andrew Will as interim CEO. A news release stated Will has served in executive leadership positions for health regions in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, including CEO of four health regions.
He was also the acting CEO of the former Saskatoon Health Region.
Will’s current role is vice-president of infrastructure, information and support for the SHA.
The SHA board will release updates on the recruitment of a permanent CEO as soon as possible.
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The release added that no operations or services have been affected during this time.
On Thursday morning, Premier Scott Moe told reporters he found out about the resignation “late last week” and is unsure why it took the public this long to find out, but said he assumes the board was working with Livingstone to find an interim CEO.
Moe was asked by a reporter what the reason for the resignation was.
“You know, I’m not going to discuss some of the HR matters that may be in this case, or any other case for that matter,” Moe answered.
The SHA release sent Thursday morning did not provide a reason for Livingstone’s departure.
Doug Dahl, a spokesperson with the SHA told Global News Livingstone delivered notice last week that he was leaving.
“This is a personnel matter and we will not be commenting further on his decision to move on from his role as CEO,” Dahl wrote in an email.
Moe added it is always a concern losing any leader in a government entity and he’s disappointed about Livingstone’s resignation.
“Mr. Livingstone has provided, I think, good leadership throughout the pandemic … and previous to that, but ultimately these things do happen,” Moe said.
“There’s people that come and go within government and I think we should be appreciative and thankful that we have individuals that are capable and competent to move into that role on an interim basis.”
Moe said he doesn’t recall exactly when he last met with Livingstone, but said it would have been around one to two weeks ago. He said Livingstone did not give any sense that he was stepping down from his role.
The Chief Operating Officer position at SHA is also vacant. Dahl said the former COO, Suann Laurent retired at the end of October “after a long and successful career with our health system.”
Dahl said Laurent’s retirement was announced to leadership teams across the SHA. The COO job responsibilities had transitioned to the CEO, Dahl added.
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