Ray Hunt

Mr. Ray Hunt has gained extensive experience in health care administration throughout his career. Hunt previously served as the CEO of the Espanola Regional Hospital (ERH), overseeing the operations of an integrated health campus that includes acute, emergency and long-term care, as well as primary care (Family Health Team) and seniors housing/assisted living. During this tenure, ERH saw positive changes with respect to program growth and improved access to medical services. Under his leadership, Hunt secured capital funding that enabled the redevelopment of the hospital’s Emergency Department and other areas of the facility. Prior to joining the ERH, Hunt spent 24 years working in the Ontario Public Sector on a variety of initiatives that focused on Northern and rural health and social services. As Director of Family Health Teams (FHT) Implementation, Hunt oversaw the creation of FHTs across Ontario. Previous positions included managing the implementation of new rural physician payment models in Northern Ontario and oversight of the Northern Health Programs, including Physician Recruitment and Retention Programs and the Northern Health Travel Grant. Hunt is also a former member of the joint Ontario Medical Association (OMA)/ Ministry of Health (MOH) Physician Human Resources Committee, where he gained much insight into health human resources (HHR) issues and capacity planning requirements to address future needs. Given his experience managing various HHR programs, Hunt was previously appointed to the OMA/MOH Expert Panel to review changes proposed for physician recruitment programs. This work resulted in the creation of the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative. Hunt is a former board member of Health Force Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency, whose mandate includes the distribution of physicians and interprofessional providers to underserved areas of Ontario. Most recently, Hunt was appointed by the MOH as an expert advisor in the ministry’s review and selection of Ontario Health Teams.