Sun Country Health Region announced that Hal Schmidt, vice-president of finance and corporate services, has resigned.

CEO Cal Tant accepted Schmidt’s resignation, effective immediately. Recent issues related to Schmidt’s employment history have made it untenable for him to continue in his current role within the Sun Country Health Region (SCHR). No severance will be paid.

Schmidt has been accused of misrepresenting himself as a chartered accountant and was investigated for financial mismanagement at St. Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia when he was CEO of the hospital.

“On behalf of the SCHR and the board of directors, we recognized that action was required on this issue,” said Sharon Bauche, chair of the board. “We are confident that to move forward in addressing the many challenges that face health care delivery in this health region, Mr. Schmidt’s resignation is an appropriate outcome.”

Tant said, “I’ve said all along that the board and the executive management team have two clear priorities in this health region - patient safety and quality care.”

“Over the next few weeks I will be working with the board to enlist the resources of an executive search firm to assist us in recruiting to this position, which requires unique expertise in financial and health care management,” said Tant.