Health Sciences North to search the globe for new leader in Sudbury

Health Sciences North plans to look globally for its new president and chief executive officer as the search for a replacement for the outgoing Dr. Denis Roy ramps up.

Roy will retire next June from the post, which he's held for more than six years.

The chair of the hospital's board of directors says the hospital will employ a search firm to find potential candidates.

Later, a five-member search committee will short-list candidates.

"Our goal is to have a transition, so that it overlaps [and] we have a great handoff between the two," Nicole Everest said.

"But that's an unknown. It depends on the type of calibre candidates we can attract, interview and go through the process."

Everest said the successful candidate will need strong leadership skills and a background in academia.

'Flexible' vision

Denis Roy said he has some advice for his replacement at HSN.

"Given the fact that things are changing very fast in the health care system — not only in Ontario but across Canada — having a vision that is flexible enough to accommodate those changes will be very important," he told CBC News.

Once he retires, Roy says he plans to move back to Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and then travel.

Everest said the hospital "will not ... be rushed by a date," when it comes finding "the right candidate who's going to continue the mission of the organization, continue to develop everything that's been embedded by Dr Roy. We want to make sure we get the right resource for the job."

Currently the hospital is in the process of getting request for proposals for search firms. The cost of the search is still not known.

The search committee will include representation from the two boards (HSN and the research institute), representation from the patient advisory panel, a representative from the medical staff, and a representative from Laurentian University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.