By Sheri Monk

The Badger has learned two hospital managers quit, perhaps on the same day, but Cypress Health Region says the timing was entirely coincidental.
“Irregardless, the timing of the two resignations… you know it might have been one day, it might have been the next day, the long and short of it is that I can confirm that both ladies have resigned,” said Bryce Martin, spokesperson for Cypress Health Region. “I see no relationship between the two resignations.”
The two health services managers – Cathy Miller at Leader Hospital and Maureen George at Maple Creek Hospital – announced their resignations about 10 days ago. Additionally, a third individual with the same job title at Herbert retired at the same time.
Martin said he has personally spoken to Miller, whose reasons are of a personal nature.
“Cathy’s decision to resign was a personal one and I know that she is saying that around the community, so I don’t believe that she would be out of sorts if I was to say that her decision was based on personal reasons.”

As for George’s resignation, Martin wasn’t clear on her impetus for quitting.
“She resigned, so I’m assuming that there were some personal things behind that as well,” he said, admitting recent stress from hospital closures and physician shortages could have played a role.
“Well, I think that there is a variety of stressors in healthcare. Rural communities right now are facing the stressors of the temporary disruptions, whether it be caused from physician unavailabilities or other health professional unavailabilities. So those are stressors because there’s large expectations from the communities in regards to healthcare,” Martin explained.
He also said problems can be magnified for professionals in smaller communities like those in the Southwest.
“You go to the hockey rink and you get questioned about health services and you go to church and you get questioned about health services. It has always been an issue and I think it still remains an issue.”
Martin says when any employee quits a job, there are likely both personal and professional causes for the change.
“Whenever we make a decision to resign, or look elsewhere for employment there’s probably a variety of things. And I think it’s very natural to think when a person makes a change in employment that there is always going to be a mixture of personal and professional reasons why a person makes that decision. If the job you’re in is good for you, a good fit for you, and you’re exceeding or meeting expectations in it, sometimes then no matter whether the personal or professional part of it overrides the other one, you’re always going to be comfortable that you have a secure position,” explained Martin.