Hospital drops Brady Irwin

Sault Area Hospital has terminated Brady Irwin, vice president of public affairs.

Irwin was advised yesterday that the hospital is ending its relationship with him.

He tells SooToday.com that he was initally recruited by then president and chief executive officer Manu Malkani, who felt political skills were needed to move the hospital ahead.

But times are changing in the health care field and Irwin says he's leaving on good terms.

Irwin says he was looking forward to crossing the threshold to the hospital's new location with his co-workers, but that won't be the case.

"I'm proud of the work I did there," he says.

So far, no announcement has been made by the hospital administration, a task that would normally be handled by Irwin.

Irwin is a former Ward 2 City Councillor who served two terms but did not seek re-election in the 2003 municipal elections.

A longtime supporter of the Liberal Party, Irwin was raised on politics.

His father is Ron Irwin, former mayor of Sault Ste. Marie and federal cabinet minister.

At SAH, Irwin was responsible for the public affairs, privacy, volunteer services and French-language health services departments.

He holds a bachelor of arts (sociology) degree from the University of Western Ontario, a master of business administration degree from Lake Superior State University and a master of education degree from Nipissing University.

Prior to his employment at the hospital, Irwin worked in public affairs and privacy positions with Ontario Lottery Corporation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario's Management Board Secretariat.

Sault Area Hospital has been struggling financially, with directors learning last week that its accumulated deficit is expected to reach $12 million by year's end.

Last week, the hospital announced it had hired Tracy MacDonald, vice president of patient services and chief nursing executive with the Niagara Health System, as its new vice president and chief operating officer.