Hospital shocker - CEO resigns in midst of building project

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL

********************* SAH president & CEO resigns

June 30, 2006 - Sault Area Hospital announced today that Jerome Quenneville has resigned as president and CEO of the hospital after serving in this role for the past two years.

In his letter of resignation, Mr. Quenneville referred to a number of achievements over his tenure, such as the progression of the new hospital building project, working towards a stabilized budget and the Northern School of Medicine affiliation.

Mr. Quenneville mentioned that he will be taking a well-deserved vacation and will be seeking another appropriate opportunity which would enable him to continue his commitment and contribution to our health care system.

The board of directors accepted Mr. Quenneville’s resignation and offered its thanks and appreciation on behalf of the hospital's physicians and staff, for his service and leadership to the hospital and the community of Sault Ste. Marie.

Mr. Quenneville was actively involved in championing the new hospital building project, supporting regional information system planning and serving as a strong advocate for the hospital community.

The board of directors will begin a national search for a new president and CEO in the near future.

In the interim, Ron Gagnon, senior vice president and CFO, will assume the responsibility of acting president and CEO of Sault Area Hospital.

Sault Area Hospital, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is a 289 acute care bed hospital facility formed through the merger of the Plummer Memorial Hospital and the Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital.

Sault Area Hospital also includes two satellite hospital sites: Matthews Memorial, an emergency and outpatient hospital on St. Joseph Island and Thessalon Hospital, a four-bed hospital in Thessalon, Ontario.

Sault Area Hospital serves a community of approximately 120,000 people within Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District.

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