Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Jun 24/98) - The Keewatin Regional Health Board has yet another interim executive director, the board's fourth since CEO Jim Egan was fired six months ago.

Jack MacKinnon, a long-time GNWT employee, was appointed last week to head the restructuring board until March 31, 1999, or until a permanent executive officer is recruited by the board.

MacKinnon's career in health care has spanned some 28 years, nine of them in Yellowknife. He has held several positions with the Department of Health and Social Services over that period, including manager of community health, manager of environmental health and most recently, manager of health protection.

He said he feels up to the task of heading the restructuring of the Keewatin board after the GNWT stepped in last January to help the board through what was then called a health crisis.

It is that recovery, already begun by former interim CEOs, he added, that will be a continuing challenge. He looks forward to the task of bringing back some stability to the region's health care system.

"It's a good challenge to rebuild public confidence," he said.

Newly appointed board chair Rosie Oolooyuk maintained MacKinnon is more than capable of the challenges that are ever-present in the health-care field.

"With 28 years of government service, Mr. MacKinnon has the experience that is needed for the position," she said. "As a departmental employee for the last nine years, Mr. MacKinnon understands the direction the health board is wanting to move in."

MacKinnon cited a new dental program as one of the board's main priorities. Kiguti Dental Services Ltd. is getting ready to pull out of the region July 31, 1998, following a 30 per cent cut in federal funding.

Other major issues, he said, include finalizing a new contract with the Northern Medical Unit and increasing staff levels at the board office in Rankin Inlet.

"I believe the staffing levels in the communities are close to where they should be," he said.

MacKinnon said he has wanted to come back to the Keewatin since he worked in Arviat in 1991 during an outbreak of E. coli in the community.

"The Keewatin region has had a bit of a soft spot in heart," he said.

He said he is glad to be back and hopes he can lead the improvement of health services in the region ... until division.