Affiliation process continues

Kim Gardner

Aug. 18, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- An offer has been extended to a possible chief executive officer and the possibility of affiliation is still being examined by Haywood Regional Medical Center board members.

The board approved unanimously last week to extend an offer to John Michael Poore Jr. for the CEO position. Poore visited the area several weeks ago, during which time he formally met board members.

At press time, there was no word as to if Poore has accepted the position. If he does, then attorneys for both parties will work on a contract for Poore. The hospital's governing board would then have to approve the contract before it can be put in place, Mark Clasby, board member and member of the Future Directions Committee, said.

The hospital's former CEO, David Rice, retired in late February following Haywood Regional's Medicare and Medicaid decertification.

While the board has been searching for a new CEO, it has also been exploring affiliating with another health care system.

"The process continues to move forward and we have had more meetings with interested organizations," said Clasby, which has been exploring affiliations.

After initial interviews with five different entities, the field has been narrowed to three -- Mission Memorial Health System, Carolinas Medical Center and Novant Health.

Clasby said the Future Directions Committee will continue interviewing the three organizations.

"They've made their presentations, but we haven't gotten into negotiations," he said.

As for hiring a CEO before the future of affiliation is settled, Clasby said the hospital can not continue to operate without a leader.

"There's a need to have leadership, and the affiliation process will take a while," Clasby said. "It will not happen overnight."

While it may seem that an organization that wants to affiliate with Haywood Regional would want to put in place its own leadership team, Clasby said the hospital's CEO is part of the negotiation process.

"This is a process we are trying to work through for the future of the hospital," Clasby said.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0259-27487188