Sharon Kirkpatrick named as hospital's Nurse Number One

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL NEWS RELEASE

*********************** SAH names VP/Chief Nursing Officer

Jerome Quenneville, President and CEO of the Sault Area Hospital, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Kirkpatrick as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick has served SAH in numerous roles during the past 17 years, most recently as SAH's Vice President of Clinical and Support Services.

"SAH aims to ensure that a nursing voice continues to be heard at the most senior levels of the organization," said Mr. Quenneville.

"Sharon has demonstrated both a deep sense of compassion and commitment to our patients, as well as the skill needed to help lead our organization through the difficult road ahead of us."

Mrs. Kirkpatrick attended Lake Superior State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1987.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick joined the General Hospital in 1987 as a registered nurse in the coronary and intensive care units.

She was a nursing professor at Sault College for two years and returned to the General Hospital in 1992.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick held various nursing management positions from 1992 until 1997, when she joined the senior management team.

She is a member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick pursues ongoing education in both the clinical and administrative fields.

According to Mrs. Kirkpatrick, "I am committed to working with our physicians and staff to improve upon the team-based approach we have been building during the past few years. I am looking forward to the challenge of getting ready for a new hospital."

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