Saskatchewan’s Health Minister Don McMorris has announced the appointment of board members for Saskatchewan’s 12 regional health authorities – including in the Sunrise Health Region.

“We continue to make meaningful transformational changes in the health system to put patients first,” McMorris says. “Regional health authority board members are integral to making that change happen. As I announce the appointment of 116 board members, I am pleased to say that 83 of them are being reappointed, which will enable continuity and continued progress toward our goal of more patient- and family-centred care.”

Sixty-six of the appointees are men and 50 are women, with 16 people also self-identifying as First Nations or Métis.

Board members are responsible for overseeing the organization, management and delivery of health services for all residents in their health regions, primarily through the CEO of the health region. Board members are accountable to the Minister of Health.

Many of those being reappointed are among the first graduates of the Health Director Education and Certification Program through the University of Regina’s Johnson/Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. The comprehensive education program was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health to provide extensive education and skill development to help inform board members’ decisions.

Appointed to the Sunrise board are: Greg Kobylka from Yorkton (Chair); Lawrence Chomos from Esterhazy (Vice Chair); Murray Dalton, Preeceville; Gordon Gendur, Yorkton; Janet Hill, Yorkton; Doris Kopelchuk, Canora; Donald Rae, Yorkton; Dave Schappert, Langenburg; Walter Streelasky, Melville; and Shirley Wolfe-Keller, Invermay.