The Lexington Regional Health Center Board of Directors held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss steps concerning a new CEO search after the termination of former CEO Leslie Marsh.
Pamela Trampe, the board’s secretary/treasurer, told other members that a new CEO should be someone who can “foster open communication channels with both employees and the community.”
Trampe said the search committee needs to be diverse, representing the hospital, including board members, staff and maybe community representatives.
Board Vice Chair Pat Samway told board members they should also really take the input to heart when community members voice their opinions on a new CEO.
Kenneth Harbison described Samway’s idea as “gibberish” and told her that it’s the board’s responsibility, no matter how long it takes, to be the ones to decide on a new CEO.
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At the next board meeting on March 26, if anyone has candidates for CEO, they will present those findings on the same day.
Addressing some confusion, Chairman Rob Anderson reminded people at the meeting that Wade Eschenbrenner is the interim CEO because as chief financial officer he was already an authorized signer before Marsh was fired.
Samway said she believes the police should be revised in the future because it is “really vague” on what procedures need to happen when appointing a new CEO.
After a motion was made to take action to keep Eschenbrenner as interim CEO, Anderson, Tucker Case, Harbison and Trampe voted “yay” while Samway voted “nay.”
Board members then all approved a motion to consider and take action on a resolution to modify the authorized signatories for the company’s bank and investment accounts, presented by Finance Director Tara Naprstek.
Effective immediately, the signatories will include Eschenbrenner, Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Finance Tara Naprstek, Chief Operating Officer Kirsten Faessler and Chief Human Resources Officer Jill Denker. This resolution will remain in force until written notice to the contrary is provided to the respective bank or investment institution.
Talking about the aftermath of Marsh’s dismissal, Eschenbrenner admitted it was a “fast and long two weeks.” Eschenbrenner said members of the hospital’s leadership team went to talk to each department and follow up on what’s been occurring.
The board members acknowledged negative feelings in the community since Marsh’s firing.
Chief Operating Officer Mike Dowling, one of those who spoke to each department, said, “Each person that we visited with and people that I know in this facility are focused on providing great care, and that’s the biggest thing.”
“As a board, you can feel comfortable going to bed at night knowing that these people working in this hospital will provide great care with the courtesy and respect and the love which every person deserves,” Dowling said.
Samway said “There’s not just anxiety within the staff, there’s anxiety with the community. They see the board dissension, but they don’t see what our workers do.
“I’ve had people stop me on the street and say, ‘Please don’t make a decision about a new CEO until after the elections.’”
Denker, who also spoke to hospital departments, said she told everyone that when addressing their concerns about the hospital, they shouldn’t feel scared about losing their jobs.
Directly addressing the Clipper-Herald at the meeting, Samway said, “Make sure that the community feels that everybody at LRHC is going to give the best quality care that they’ve always received.”