Interim health authority CEO takes over position on permanent basis

The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s CEO chair is no longer vacant.

Andrew Will, who has served as interim CEO of the SHA since Dec. 2, 2021, was named the new permanent CEO on Thursday in Saskatoon following a unanimous vote from the health authority’s board.

Arlene Wiks, who chairs the SHA’s board, said prior to the vote there was a “rigorous” search effort to replace former CEO Scott Livingstone, who resigned from the position in last November.

“Our work with the search firm and our selection and interview process affirmed for us that Andrew is experienced, accomplished and a capable leader,” Wiks said.

Will was born and educated in Saskatchewan, Wiks explained, and has spent the past 30 years working in health care leadership roles, including CEO of the Northeast Health District, Cypress Health Region and 3S Health in Saskatchewan, and as the CEO of Aspen Regional Health in Alberta.

He was touted by the chairperson as someone who focuses on building a strong organizational culture focused on supporting individuals and teams to do their best to support the people they serve, and with someone who comes with “decades of demonstrated executive leadership experience in large care health organizations.”

Wiks also called Will a “testament to our home-grown talent in Saskatchewan,” saying he is passionate about building a system that works for every person in the province.

In his first address as CEO, Will shared his excitement about the position, the honour he felt at serving alongside health care providers, and the importance of the SHA to Saskatchewan and its people.

“It means a lot to me to serve as part of our health care team,” he said.

The new CEO shared his commitment to ensure he is always focused on patients and families, in accordance with the SHA’s vision. Will also said he also wants to focus on caring for caregivers by creating a culture where staff and teams feel supported.

Will said the people of Saskatchewan are always on top of his mind, and he recognizes the toll the pandemic has taken on health care professionals. He said he is very grateful to the employees who worked throughout the pandemic and said he sees the burnout that has impacted the health care system.

The newly appointed CEO also acknowledged the physician shortage plaguing not only Saskatoon, but Saskatchewan and the world more broadly.

“We are certainly facing challenges with health human resources in this province, including physicians, and I would say this challenge is certainly similar to other provinces,” he said.

Will shared his excitement about the provincial government’s recently announced Health Human Resources Action Plan, which will see $60 million invested into recruiting, retaining, incentivizing and training health care professionals to work in Saskatchewan.

A Saskatchewan recruitment agency has been established – Will is a board member – and is working to recruit doctors to the province as well. Will said the SHA is working to keep people informed of where they can receive primary care, and are being proactive in their recruitment efforts.

A continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is another priority for the SHA Will outlined.

“We know that in a number of areas, as we directed resources to respond to COVID, that we fell behind in a number of key areas,” Will said.

Will also highlighted the SHA’s partnerships with First Nation and Métis communities. He said those relationships are important in ensuring the health authority’s care is culturally appropriate, and continues to close the gap in health status between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Despite the laundry list of priorities, Will said he is optimistic in his new role.

“It’s certainly a challenging time in health care, but it’s an exciting time as well, and we’re really  excited to partner with our communities and other health care providers to transform health care for the people of Saskatchewan,” Will said.

“I’ve served in health care for a long time, and I’ve never seen a time when health care has been more important to the people in this province.”