John McGarry set to retire from Horizon Health Network

John McGarrysays his decision not to try to renew his contract as the president and CEO of the Horizon Health Network is not relatedto any disagreement over policy with the provincial government.

It "had nothing to do with any receptivity to any thoughts that I or my organization had," McGarrytold reporters on Thursday.

McGarry, 64, did say, however, that he's disappointed by the lack of success inencouraging co-operation among the regions Horizon covers, and co-operation with the francophonehealth network, Vitalit.

Turf issues need to be settled, he said.

"I thinkwe have a long way to go to really have it work together, very seamlessly and like a good engine as Horizon Health. And not as Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton,Miramichi..."

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McGarrymade the statements after advising Horizon's board ofdirectorshe will not try to renew his four-year contract when it expires in January.

Employees of the health authority, physicians and volunteers were informed ofMcGarry'simpending retirement in a memo on Thursday.

"It is my plan to slow down, spend more time with familyand new grandchildrenand look at other opportunities that might be a bit easier on an aging body," McGarrystatedin the memo.

McGarry, whowas appointed the head of the Horizon Health Network in February 2013, sayshemade up his mind to step downalong time ago.

"It just seems a reasonable time to say, 'I've had enough of doing what I'm doing,'" he said. "I have some family that's moving away and growing and I want to spend more time with them, so it sounds to me like it's the right time to do this."

He says whoever takes over at the helm will have to continue making difficult decisions, managing public expectations with limited provincial resources.

Horizon is the largest of the province's two health authorities. It operates 12 hospitals and more than 100 medical facilities, clinics and offices.

McGarry has workedin various aspects of health care administration for 36 years.

"The challenges in health care are enormous but working with all of you on this team has been personally rewarding for me,"McGarry said in the memo.

McGarry will continue in the role of president and CEO until his successor is in place.