CEO of ehealth leaves post proud of his legacy
The CEO of ehealth Saskatchewan is hanging up his hat.
Jim Hornell, who filled the role in October 2018, presided over tumultuous years at the provincial Crown corporation, marked by rapid advances to meet the needs of the COVID -19 pandemic and a devastating cyberattack that was declared the worst known privacy breach in Saskatchewan's history.
He said he heads into semi-retirement with his head held high.
“I came into the organization when they didn't really have an executive in place,” Hornell said. “I recruited a new executive, and in the space of three years I think we've brought some leadership and stability to an organization that's gone through some significant challenges.”
The ransomware attack targeted ehealth, which stewards the health system's electronic infrastructure, in December 2019. Hackers paralyzed the province's health system and at least 547,145 files containing people's most sensitive information was compromised, according to an investigation by the information and privacy commissioner released last year.
“I don't think I can be accused of exaggeration when I say this has been the most difficult year in our history,” former ehealth board chair Tyler Bragg wrote in the 2019-20 report.
A Sasktel analysis cited in the investigation report found ehealth had a “hodgepodge of unintegrated security solutions being deployed, in various configurations, being operated in various parts of the organization and any attempts to improve the overall security posture of the organization met with resistance and often futility to the point where staff are frustrated and defeatist.”
Health Minister Paul Merriman replaced ehealth's board with two civil servants in January 2021 and launched a review into its operations and governance.
Hornell declined to discuss the commissioner's report, saying it was a matter for ministry officials.
He was quick to point to successes in cleaning up ehealth procurement processes. He also touted rapid pivots in digital work that he said paved the way for virtual health care, field hospital setup and other parts of the province's COVID-19 response.
He also pointed to hefty infrastructure investments — $15.3 million in the latest budget — to shore up its digital defences. He said further spending will be needed.
“I think we've got to continue to build the case that this is expensive, but not investing is also expensive,” Hornell said.
Merriman said former assistant deputy health minister Kimberly Kratzig will temporarily fill Hornell's role after he departs at the end of the month, while the board searches for a suitable replacement.
“Ms. Kratzig has extensive experience in the operations of Saskatchewan's Health system having served as an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Health for several years, along with holding other leadership positions in the public service,” Merriman wrote in a statement.
Hornell said he is stepping down to pursue opportunities in consulting after he returns to his home province of Newfoundland.
“I'm leaving, absolutely, with my head held high here and feeling that we've made some real progress. It think the organization is in a far better state than it was,” Hornell said.