Doug Moynihan, VP of Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Centre
Doug Moynihan the vice-president for corporate services at Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Centre, will take over as chief executive officer at AGH on January 15. Robert Wilson, CEO here for the past eight years, retires at the end of December.
Moynihan played a big role in the development of the unique health centre in Sioux Lookout. Meno Ya Win was conceived over a decade ago, when the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN), the Town of Sioux Lookout and the federal and provincial governments agreed to bring together a wide range of health care facilities scattered over seven or more sites in Sioux Lookout into one new centre.
When Moynihan joined Meno Ya Win in 2004, that new centre was still a dream. Construction didn’t actually begin until 2007; the first patients moved in late last year.
The $135 million facility serves the community and the dozens of smaller First Nations for which Sioux Lookout serves as a hub. The hospital uses First Nations concepts of health, healing and wellness and is taking a leadership role in developing and delivering culturally sensitive health care in NWO. Two hospitals and a range of other health care services had to be amalgamated to create Meno Ya Win, and that, as much as the major construction involved, made it one of the single most challenging projects ever undertaken in the region.
His experience with it helped make him an especially attractive candidate for the job at AGH. Over the next two years, AGH will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation and addition.
“We believe Mr. Moynihan is the appropriate CEO to carry on the work that Bob Wilson has started,” said AGH board chair Vic Prokopchuk.
A hiring committee consisting of board members Prokopchuk, Joan McIntosh (past chair), Wayne McAndrew (vice-chair), Brent Boyko and chief of staff Dr. John Fotheringham worked with the recruitment firm, the Phelps Group. They interviewed four candidates after winnowing the field of applicants down to 11.
Moynihan has broad experience in human resources; he’s worked in pulp and paper (Bowater), the food industry (Kraft), and the oil sands (Syncrude), as well as municipal government (HR manager for the City of Fort McMurray). He has a BA from Guelph University and an MBA from Athabaska University. For the latter, he researched and published on the topic, How to create and sustain high performing teams.
“He has an excellent track record in human resources development, leadership development and training programs,” said Prokopchuk. “We are proud of the culture that has emerged among all the departments at AGH, and are confident Mr. Moynihan will maintain and further develop that culture and pride in our employees.”
Prokopchuk offered fulsome praise for Robert Wilson’s work.
“Bob has provided excellent leadership for the staff at AGH, and has provided guidance to the board in developing an excellent health care facility for the community, as evidenced by the high scores in the Accreditation Canada audit and review of the board and staff operating practices and policies.”
This post was written by...
M.McKinnon – who has written 170 posts on Atikokan Progress and Printing.
Editor of the Atikokan Progress for the past 25 years (and co-publisher with Eve Shine since 1994), McKinnon is involved in youth sports and a variety of community organizations (new arena committee, Chamber of Commerce), and has been involved in many others over the years. "A passionate voice in the life of Atikokan" - John Rafferty
