EXETER — South Huron Hospital (SHH) chief executive officer Deb Hunt admits it is with mixed emotions that she is retiring, but she says the timing is right.

Hunt, who joined SHH in the spring of 2005, said she is looking forward to retirement and intends to spend more time with her grandchildren, travel with her husband and “work on my golf game.”

Hunt's last day is Oct. 20 and as reported in last week's Times-Advocate she will be replaced by Dr. Glenn Bartlett, who will split his duties between SHH and the Grand Bend Community Health Centre.

Hunt spent 37 years in health care, starting out in nursing, then moving into administration. Before joining SHH she was director of operations with the Rouge Valley Health System.

Hunt said retiring in the fall was a natural time for her to go because this September the strategic planning process for SHH is happening and accreditation will occur in October. Coupled with the fact she has been wrestling with the idea of retiring for about a year, she said it's a good time for her to retire and allow the hospital to move in a new direction with a new CEO.

She said she leaves at a time when the hospital is stable financially and programs and services are running well.

Hunt said she has been pleased with the fact that while there have been many changes at the hospital over the past few years, the physicians, staff and community have always been supportive. Among the major accomplishments during Hunt's time at SHH are the renovations and upgrading of the emergency department, the implementation of digital imaging, electronic medical records, cardiac stress testing and a bone mineral densitometry machine.

Hunt said she has been impressed with how the community and staff have always shown loyalty and commitment to SHH during fundraisers.

“There's something really special about a small hospital,” she said, adding she's also proud of SHH's ability to attract physicians and staff.

“We have a very low (staff) turnover rate, which is wonderful.”  

Hunt added doctors and staff have always gone “above and beyond” to ensure the ER has always remained open 24 hours a day.

Asked if she will miss her work, Hunt replies, “Absolutely.” She said during her entire career it was always a joy for her every morning to wake up and go to work.

“I wish the SHH staff, physicians, board and the community we serve all the best. I know they'll continue to offer quality services with local access,” Hunt said.

While tough decisions regarding health care will have to be made in the future due to funding, she said the needs of the patient must remain the top priority.