Joe Kirwan, Chief Executive Officer of the Sunrise Health Region, has retired as of the end of July.The decision came suddenly; while Kirwan was away on vacation last month, health region officials steadily insisted that he would be returning to his regular duties in August.
No explanation for the CEO's sudden departure has been given. Kirwan indicated through his communications department that it was "a private decision" and that he will not be speaking to the media about his retirement.
Senior Vice President of Health Services Suann Laurent has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer until a permanent replacement is found.
Joe Kirwan had a 26-year career in healthcare, beginning at Melville's St. Paul Lutheran Home in 1984. He became Chief Executive Officer of the North Valley Health District in 1999 and took on CEO duties over the Assiniboine Valley Health District in 2001. When those two districts amalgamated with the East Central Health District in 2002, Kirwan transitioned into CEO of the newly-formed Sunrise Health District. He has been the district's only CEO since its inception.
