NIPIGON – The Nipigon District Memorial Hospital will see some changes in the next few months as CEO Cathy Eddy sets her sights on retirement.
The hospital announced earlier this month that Eady will retire later this year, with Shannon Cormier stepping into the role in November.
Eady said that she is “excited to be retired and not have the hospital weight on your shoulders and all of the decisions and everything that comes with that. I’m excited about the next chapter in my life like spending more time with the grandkids and travelling.”
Although she feels like it is her time to retire, Eady said there are some projects she would like to see finished before taking her leave.
“We're looking at having more ambulatory care procedures here. We're looking at perhaps partnering for an echocardiogram. I want to see the 30 beds, but I'm passing that over to someone who's going to make sure that that comes to fruition. I'm confident that it's going to occur and I'll still be here for that opening,” said Eady.
Eady has filled vital roles over her five-year involvement with the hospital including two years as the chief nursing executive and chief operations officer. In November 2020, she became the president and CEO.
Her accomplishments over her term as CEO have set up the hospital well in the future. The creation of a stable patient transfer program, collaboration with Confederation College for personal service workers and the first-ever registered practical nurse program offered locally has granted the Nipigon Hospital access to an adequate continuum of care for the North Shore region.
“While I was here, we became a best practice spotlight organization and so from a quality improvement lens, I'm proud of that. We were published and we've one of our nurses went for a fellowship. I started an indigenous advisory committee, so reaching out to our local partners and having their input on how we manage the organization going forward and just getting their opinions on things is fabulous,” said Eady.
Eady was also instrumental in securing the funding for a 30-bed long-term care wing and the retrofit of their acute care.
“Getting the provision of funding for the 30 new beds is fabulous, but there’s a lot of work to be done there yet. But I think it's a good thing for Nipigon and the region, for our residents and patients,” Eady said.
“I feel like I'm leaving the hospital in very good hands. I’m very happy with the choice and very happy to have somebody local. I think I feel much better leaving knowing that they're in capable hands and the right person for the job,” said Eady.
Cormier joined the hospital as the interim chief operating officer in March, with experience working as the executive director of North of Superior Counselling Programs from 2013 to 2021.
