Memo from Sudbury hospital board praises embattled CEO Dominic Giroux
Following the release of the full auditor general’s report on Laurentian University’s insolvency, the board of directors at Health Sciences North is praising the work of CEO Dominic Giroux.
Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk singled out Giroux’s time as head of Laurentian as the period when the school’s fiscal problems began to get serious.
Massive spending on several capital projects added to LU’s growing debt load, which became a crisis when revenue from international students dried up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Giroux has refused to comment on the auditor’s analysis after a request from CTV Northern Ontario.
But in a memo to HSN staff Nov. 22 obtained by CTV News, board chair Daniel Giroux, vice-chair Dr. Catherine Cervin and treasurer Stephan Plante said Giroux has been an outstanding CEO since taking over five years ago.
“Since Dominic joined HSN and HSNRI in 2017-18, our cash position, working capital, net assets and long-term debt improved in both organizations,” the memo said.
When he arrived, HSN was incurring operating deficits of about $1 million a month, the memo said. Since then, the hospital has posted operating surpluses each year, ranging from $300,000 to $2.9 million.
“As well, today HSN performs at or above the average of Ontario hospitals on 13 of 19 indicators tracked by the Canadian Institute for Health Information,” the memo continued.
“It is recognized by Ontario Health as No. 1 on quality improvement indicators among Ontario’s 14 regional cancer programs.”
“We are fully confident in the job Dominic has done as CEO – a job that was recently validated by being chosen by his peers to be the Chair of the Ontario Hospital Association at a time of great challenge in Ontario’s health care sector.”
And in an email to CTV, Daniel Giroux said the board “has full confidence in the leadership of its president and CEO.”
“With the support of many, Dominic has done an excellent job co-chairing the pandemic response for the health sector in northern Ontario,” Giroux said.
“Since he took the helm back in 2017, HSN secured a favourable third-party validation of its approved 2018 budget, operating funding for 198 hospital beds in Greater Sudbury, final approvals for the PET-CT, provincial approval for a second MRI, a Stage 1 planning grant for our capital redevelopment, $21.6 million from the province for the Labelle Innovation and Learning Centre, $3.4 million to relocate the Children’s Treatment Centre to Southridge Mall and $10 million for renovations to open 52 new beds by 2023.”
Giroux finished by saying, “Therefore, the board is extremely confident in the job Dominic has done as CEO.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.