Scott Potts says he left the regional hospital because he wanted a change of scenery and nothing more
Potts, the former executive vice-president of corporate and diagnostic services at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, announced earlier this month that he would be resigning after 24 years. At the time of the announcement, no reason was given for his departure.
Rumours circulating the community insinuated Potts and Lori Marshall, acting vice-president of patient care and health professions, were terminated.
Potts said those rumours are not true. He said that after two decades, he simply felt it was time for a change of scenery.
“It was my choice to resign,” he said Friday. “I’m looking for other growth opportunities. I’m just glad it is in this community. (Lori and I) contributed greatly to the success of the organization and unfortunately at this point it is a bit of gap for the organization. But I’m sure they will be recruiting and they will fill that need.”
He said he had a suspicion that Marshall was thinking of leaving because she was also looking for other employment opportunities.
Potts will official take on his new role as vice-president of infrastructure and planning at St. Joseph’s Care Group on July 15. He will be the point man on St. Joseph’s Centre of Excellence for Integrated Seniors’ Services and the expansion of the mental health wing.
With the first shovels in the ground for the new 416 long-term care bed building on Lillie Street next to the Sister Leila Greco apartments, Potts added the next step is to keep the cost and schedule on track.
He said he’s happy to have a new role in the city especially with his son getting married in September.
“I’m pretty excited about moving over to St. Joe’s,” he said. “I’ve got 24 years of experience in finance and capital projects. Plus I have overall hospital knowledge and administrative knowledge and contacts with the Ministry of Health and the Local Health Integration Network. I think I have a lot of strengths that work well with the position.”
