New CEO appointed at Sault Area Hospital

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Sault Area Hospital (SAH) will benefit from the talents and experience of a long-standing healthcare leader. Board Chair Reg St-Amour is pleased to announce that Wendy Hansson (pictured) has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Sault Area Hospital, effective July 3, 2019.

The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to also express its sincere thanks to Ila Watson who accepted the role of interim president and chief executive officer and will continue to serve SAH during the transition period.

“We welcome Ms. Hansson back to our community and are excited by the remarkable range of talents, skills and demonstrated successes she brings to our hospital,” said Reg St-Amour. “Ms. Hansson will advance Sault Area Hospital’s strategic plan, goals and partnerships while further strengthening SAH’s vision of Trusted Partner. Outstanding Care.”

Wendy Hansson is a proven leader with over 25 years of experience in large complex healthcare organizations, including regional health authorities, hospitals, provincial governments, and consulting services. She is a strategic-thought leader known for her broad system thinking, and values-based collaborative approach to addressing challenging, interprofessional, organizational and multi-sector opportunities.

Her career has spanned clinical operations, quality & patient safety, health system transformation, innovation, capital and strategic planning and policy development at the provincial, regional and local levels across the full care continuum.

A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Wendy is joining SAH from British Columbia after serving as Vice President, Quality & Innovation and Chief Transformation Office for Providence Health Care/St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

“It’s a great honour to be invited to lead Sault Area Hospital and have the opportunity to serve the people of Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding communities,” said Ms. Hansson. “I am excited to be joining a great team and organization with a strong reputation for values-driven, compassionate and patient-centred healthcare.”

Passionate about influencing culture and ensuring clinical, patient and stakeholder engagement, Wendy has directed health service delivery across the full care continuum – including all acute care/hospitals, residential care and assisted living, mental health and substance use, public health, primary care and community-based services. She has successfully collaborated with numerous municipalities and First Nations communities.