THUNDER BAY – The CEO of St. Joseph’s Care Group is retiring, the organization announced Friday.
Tracy Buckler will end her as head of SJCG in the summer of 2021, allowing time to find a replacement.
Buckler began her career with the group as an acute care registered nurse, before serving as president and CEO for 16 years.
With an annual budget of over $180 million, the organization operates several community health centres, as well as supportive housing, mental health rehabilitation and withdrawal management, and two long-term care homes.
Bishop Fred Colli, the chair of SJCG board of directors, said Buckler had guided the organization through a period of “tremendous growth and change” that saw the opening of several new centres, and expansions to existing facilities.
"Through more than a decade of capital projects and multiple health system changes, the fact that St. Joseph's Care Group is known for its compassionate organizational culture and reputation for excellence in care, is a testament to Tracy's leadership,” he said in a statement Friday.
Major achievements under her leadership include the opening of the St. Joseph's Health Centre in 2007 and Health Centre South in 2018, the construction of the 132-unit Sister Leila Greco Apartments, and opening the East Wing at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Buckler spread credit for those achievements in a statement Friday.
"I am fortunate to have had a career in an organization that has amazing staff and a mission-focused board,” Buckler said. “We have all worked together to ensure we continue the long tradition of meeting the unmet needs of the most vulnerable throughout northwestern Ontario.”
The search and recruitment process for Buckler’s successor will be completed by summer, the organization estimated.
