Dr. Denis Roy gave his final report as CEO of Health Sciences North at the hospital's annual general meeting on June 15.
Roy is retiring from his position and will be replaced by Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux.
Roy spent a little more than seven years as the head of HSN. In that time, he was not only responsible for re-christening the hospital as Health Sciences North, but also for converting Northern Ontario's biggest health care facility as a research and teaching hospital.
Roy was frank when delivering his final report, indicating that the past year had been a challenging one.
"Our challenges this year were profound. A constant state of overcrowding combined with limited resources meant our people were being asked to do more in an increasingly challenging environment," said Roy.
"But our will to meet those challenges was greater. We have maintained, and in some cases enhanced, our levels of care."
The impact of Roy's tenure is not limited to the hospital alone, but a further reaching in the form of NEO Kids, as well as the Northeastern Cancer Centre.
Roy says that he has cherished his time at HSN and that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.
"We are in a much different place than when I first arrived," said Roy.
"We have made remarkable strides. The people of Greater Sudbury and Northeastern Ontario can take pride in knowing they have a first-rate academic health sciences centre which provides outstanding care and is taking the lead in the promotion of population health. Together we can, and will improve the health of northerners."
When he arrived in Sudbury, Dr. Denis Roy told Sudbury.com he dreamed of Health Sciences North (HSN) becoming the “Harvard of the North.”
A new research fellowship in his honour will ensure that vision continues after he retires as CEO
The Dr. Denis Roy Fellowship was created by the Health Sciences North Foundation, Northern Cancer Foundation and the NEO Kids Foundation. They made the announcement at an April tribute dinner to Dr. Roy, an event that raised a total of $50,000 for the fellowship, including $5,000 from each foundation.
The Dr. Denis Roy Fellowship will be given annually to a researcher affiliated with the Health Sciences North Research Institute.
