Saskatoon is gearing up for significant changes at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation (JPCHF) as Troy Davies has been appointed the new chief executive officer. Effective January 2, 2025, Davies will bring fresh leadership to the foundation, stepping up to replace Brynn Boback-Lane, who is retiring after 26 years of dedicated service. Boback-Lane has played a pivotal role during her tenure, overseeing the foundation’s rise and development, including the impressive fundraising achievement of over $240 million and guiding the foundation’s operations at Saskatchewan’s only dedicated maternal and children’s hospital.
Currently, Davies holds the position of director of public affairs at Medavie, which provides ambulance services across Saskatoon. His career at Medavie began back in 1995 when he started as a paramedic. Since then, he has climbed the ranks, taking on increasingly senior roles within the organization. Reflecting on his career, Davies mentioned, “I’ve been on the side of flying kids to Edmonton because we didn’t have the hospital here at the time back in the early 2000s. To see where we’ve come now, having these procedures and these doctors and this hospital… It’s huge for me.”
This shift to leading the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation is imbued with personal significance for Davies. He recalls his experiences as a paramedic, which highlighted the urgent need for enhanced pediatric care within Saskatchewan. His firsthand encounters with transporting sick children compelled him to focus on making high-quality pediatric care accessible locally. “That’s my passion and why I’ve chosen to make this move late in life,” he explained—a shift he feels strongly about after serving on the City Council for Ward 4.
Looking forward, Davies aims to build upon the legacy left by Boback-Lane and bring the foundation to its next chapter. He emphasized the importance of continuing to raise standards of care for pediatric services across the province. His aspiration is to envision “JPCHF 2.0,” focusing on ensuring top-tier care for children within Saskatchewan. This vision resonates deeply, especially considering the urgent needs highlighted during his years as a frontline worker.
Adding to his experience, Davies is also the founder and board chair of Synergy 8 Community Builders, which promotes various health-related initiatives. Through this role, he has secured funding and partnerships to improve community health, contributing to efforts like procuring pediatric ambulances and establishing health buses. His strategic community engagement aligns perfectly with the foundation's goals, indicating his potential for impactful leadership.
The transition to Davies as CEO is also timely amid changes within the healthcare funding environment. With the need for continuous improvements and the increasing demand for healthcare resources, the foundation's efforts under new leadership could influence how pediatric services will evolve to meet these challenges head-on.
Davies’ commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for Saskatchewan’s children paints him as not just another administrator but as someone who genuinely cares about the community's well-being. His experience and passion are expected to shape the foundation’s path forward, enabling it to adapt and thrive under new circumstances.
Under Boback-Lane's leadership, JPCHF has made substantial strides, but as she steps away, the community will be watching Davies closely to see what innovative ideas and changes he will implement. The anticipation is palpable as Saskatoon welcomes him to lead this important institution.