Sutcliffe to head Algoma Public Health in wake of scandal

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the city's medical officer of health, is assuming temporary leadership of Algoma Public Health in the wake of a scandal involving the institution that broke this week.

In a story by SooToday.com, it was reveal Sutcliffe will replace Dr. Kim Barker, who resigned as Algoma Public Health CEO amid controversy around the health unit's financial management and its former interim chief financial officer.

“My primary focus will be ensuring that all public health programming and services continue to meet the needs of the community,” Sutcliffe said. “I admire the work of APH and its strong record of innovation and I look forward to supporting the Board of Health and Acting CEO in any way I can.”

SooToday.com reported Jan. 22 the Health Unit hired a man named Shaun Rothberg as its interim chief financial officer. Rothberg really turned out to be an alleged con artist named Shaun Rootenberg.

Rootenberg has a criminal record for fraud over $5,000 and was incarcerated in a federal prison for a time.

Sudbury and District Health unit announced today that Sutcliffe, who is the medical officer of health as well as the health unit CEO, will assume interim leadership of Algoma Public Health alongside Connie Free, Algoma Public Health’s chief nursing officer and director of clinical services.

“The health of citizens in our area is our priority,” Free said. “I know that our staff want to keep up their focus on addressing local public health needs, and I am confident that Dr. Sutcliffe the Board of Health and I will make sure this happens.”

“We are eager to keep up the momentum we have been building and are grateful to have a solid interim leadership team in place,” said Marchy Bruni, chair of Algoma Public Health. “For that, I would like to express our thanks to the Sudbury & District Board of Health for their support.”

In the meantime, the board of health will soon begin its search for a new permanent medical officer of health for APH.