By LEE HARDING.Scott Livingstone, the CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, resigned “effective immediately” for undisclosed reasons..Arlene Wilks, the SHA Board of Directors chair, made the announcement via a press release. .“The (b)oard is grateful for Scott’s leadership during the creation of the SHA and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release reads..“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 chose Andrew Will to be the interim CEO. .“Born and educated in Saskatchewan, Andrew Will has dedicated his career to providing executive leadership that builds strong organizational culture focused on supporting individuals and teams to achieve their best for the people we serve,” Wilks said in the release..“Andrew has served in executive leadership positions for health regions in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Chief Executive Officer of four health regions, including as acting CEO of the former Saskatoon Health Region.”.CTV News obtained a document that also shows the SHA’s COO, Suann Laurent, was no longer listed in that position as of Nov. 17. The document listed Livingstone as filling that role also in an interim capacity..Nothing indicates Livingstone resigned because of pending orders he disagreed with..When University of Saskatchewan surgery professor Dr. Francis Christian issued reservations regarding COVID-19 shots for teenagers, Livingstone blasted him publicly in June..“I think what he has done publicly is dangerous … I don’t condone it at all. Very disappointed,” Livingstone said..“I would say from my perspective, what’s most disrespectful is his comments relative to pandemic vaccination and the response from this province … and how disrespectful that is to the thousands of people across this province, the health-care people on his team at the university and across this province who’ve worked so hard over 15 months to keep people in this province safe. I find his comments absurd.”.Christian was subsequently relieved of his role with the SHA and was not re-hired by the University of Saskatchewan for his teaching position..Wilks said the board would maintain the “operational continuity and stability for our health system” during the transition..“I am immensely appreciative of the hard work and sacrifice of our health care teams. Please know that we will continue to make every effort to support you through all the challenges that have come during the pandemic,” Wilks said.
By LEE HARDING.Scott Livingstone, the CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, resigned “effective immediately” for undisclosed reasons..Arlene Wilks, the SHA Board of Directors chair, made the announcement via a press release. .“The (b)oard is grateful for Scott’s leadership during the creation of the SHA and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release reads..“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 chose Andrew Will to be the interim CEO. .“Born and educated in Saskatchewan, Andrew Will has dedicated his career to providing executive leadership that builds strong organizational culture focused on supporting individuals and teams to achieve their best for the people we serve,” Wilks said in the release..“Andrew has served in executive leadership positions for health regions in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Chief Executive Officer of four health regions, including as acting CEO of the former Saskatoon Health Region.”.CTV News obtained a document that also shows the SHA’s COO, Suann Laurent, was no longer listed in that position as of Nov. 17. The document listed Livingstone as filling that role also in an interim capacity..Nothing indicates Livingstone resigned because of pending orders he disagreed with..When University of Saskatchewan surgery professor Dr. Francis Christian issued reservations regarding COVID-19 shots for teenagers, Livingstone blasted him publicly in June..“I think what he has done publicly is dangerous … I don’t condone it at all. Very disappointed,” Livingstone said..“I would say from my perspective, what’s most disrespectful is his comments relative to pandemic vaccination and the response from this province … and how disrespectful that is to the thousands of people across this province, the health-care people on his team at the university and across this province who’ve worked so hard over 15 months to keep people in this province safe. I find his comments absurd.”.Christian was subsequently relieved of his role with the SHA and was not re-hired by the University of Saskatchewan for his teaching position..Wilks said the board would maintain the “operational continuity and stability for our health system” during the transition..“I am immensely appreciative of the hard work and sacrifice of our health care teams. Please know that we will continue to make every effort to support you through all the challenges that have come during the pandemic,” Wilks said.