The Simkin centre announced the hiring of Jan Currie as an interim CEO on a half time basis on December 13, 2011 until March 30, 2012. The position for an interim CEO was not advertised anywhere.
"Jan comes to us with an extensive nursing background and an exceptional track record in health care. Her career includes stints as Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and as Executive Director of the Deer Lodge Centre.
‘She is also an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba.
…
"I’d like to thank Chairperson Linda Hughes and the Selection Committee for their hard
Charlie Sitwell, who was one of the three candidates interviewed for the position of Acting CEO at the Simkin Centre was asked by the Winnipeg Jewish Review as to whether he was told in the interview process that they were looking for a half time position. He answered, "No. They said little." He went on to say that he was approached by the Chair of the Search Committee to ask if he would consider being interviewed for an Acting CEO position while Sandra Delorme was on Sick leave. He understood he would be one of several people interviewed. He said there was no more information in terms of how long the term would be or other specifics.
EDITOR’S QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Jan Currie is clearly a well qualified candidate and could well be an excellent choice. The questions I sent below to the Simkin Centre are questions which in my view ought to be raised here in regard to process. The Winnipeg Jewish Review sent an email to Bill Brownstone, acting Chair, and Heidi Graham of the WHRA with the following questions on December 13:
1. Where if at all, was this posiiton for Interim CEO advertised?
2. If it was not advertised, how is that in keeping with the recommendations of the Kafka report, which emphasize transparency, and putting in place proper processes (for governance, hiring, evaluation of CEO)
3. Does the Board anticipate Sandra Delorme will be returning in March 2012 from medical leave?
4. If not, with the interim CEO Currie be able to apply to be hired as the CEO in the future?
Heidi Graham, Director Media Relations WHRA esponded the same day:
"The decision about who to hire as interim CEO was made by the Board of Directors of The Simkin Centre and so all inquiries should be directed to them."
In answer to queries by the Winnipeg Jewish Review as to why the job of acting CEO was not advertised, Jonathan Kroft, spokesperson for the Simkin Board, said that the selection of an acting CEO is an interim measure to deal with an immediate need and the process had to be carried out on a timely basis. Potential candidates had to be available to take the position in Winnipeg immediately. Kroft said that the decision not to go through a formal advertising process was "a judgement call" that he felt was "reasonable" and "good" since it would have created delay and the Centre had the opportunity to "put an excellent person in place immediately". He said the committee and the Board considered many factors and decided that this was the appropriate route to take.
When asked about whether Delorme has given an anticipated return date, he said he is not aware of a specific return date. Graham has written to the Winnipeg Jewish Revew that "It is our understanding that the CEO [Delorme] is on "an indefinate leave."
Kroft said that Jan Currie has advised that she is not looking for a permanent position and so he did not expect she would apply to become the permanent CEO in the event Sandra Delorme does not return from medical leave. He said the date of March 31, 2012 was chosen as the term of Currie’s contract based on her being able to commit to that time frame and also on what the Centre felt its immediate needs were.
When asked if Currie would be available to continue as interim CEO past March 31, 2012, should Delorme not be back by then, Kroft said that this possibility would have to be explored at the time, although she had made it clear that she is not interested in a long-term position as CEO.
An issue that I think is worth considering is whether in fact Simkin Centre requires a full time interim CEO, not a part time CEO. Sandra Delorme was working on a full time basis as CEO, and it is very difficult for me to conceive that the workload in running the home has been reduced, especially given the number of improvements suggested in the 26 Standards Review and the need to make improvements in the integrated care standard which the Centre did not pass. I am wondering whether behind the scense the decison to hire only on a part time basis was made for financial reasons, to cut costs? Or was this decision made because the Centre wanted to hire Currie over the other two candidates and she was only available half- time.
Position Summary [Prepared and Aprroved by Search Committee Nov 20, 2011]
1. Implements Board policies and ensures compliance.
3. Supports the Board in community, media and public relations.
5. Responsible for Government relations/liaison.
7. Advises and reports to the Board in regard to the operations of the organization.
9. Approves all contracts and capital expenditures.
B. Organization
1. Required services are provided within the approved budget.
3. Meeting and maintaining standards for services that are established by licensing bodies, professional organizations and the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation and measurement of practice against these standards.
5. Planning, implementation and evaluation of quality, risk and utilization management.
7. Purchasing of supplies.accordance with the Mission of the Sharon Home Inc., the position is responsible for the administration, planning, direction and coordination of all activities of the Simkin Centre subject to the policies and directives of the Board of
