<p>The hospital board of trustees has called a meeting for this weekend to review the recent firing of president and chief executive officer Joe Woodin, board chairman Timothy Sweet said Thursday.</p>
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital board of trustees has called a meeting for this weekend to review the recent firing of president and chief executive officer Joe Woodin, board chairman Timothy Sweet said Thursday.
“We are carrying on the business of the hospital and the board is coming together to review and reflect on the events of recent weeks,” Mr. Sweet told the Gazette. The meeting will be closed to press and the public. “It’s a typical board meeting,” Mr. Sweet said.
Mr. Woodin was abruptly ousted on June 5 after 13 months on the job, sparking a backlash in the Vineyard community that continues to linger.
Mr. Sweet also said board members would be meeting with people from the community but he would not say who, when or where.
“We have reached out to some people and some people have reached out to us,” he said. “People are talking about what they think is right and wrong. The whole board was caught off guard by the community reaction. We all wish things had gone better and we all need to have an open and honest discussion about how things could have gone better,” he said. “This is a very good, thoughtful, deliberative board. Nothing is done off the cuff — everything is thought out as well as possible.”
He said no public meeting is planned to air community concerns.
“I think people would like to sit down face to face and have some assurance things are okay and that the board is being respectful. But we are trying to do it on a one-on-one basis because the questions become very personal and they often change based on who’s asking the question,” the longtime board chairman said.
A citizens group has recently formed to oppose Mr. Woodin’s termination, headed by Alan Brigish of West Tisbury. Arnie Reisman, a Vineyard Haven resident who has joined the group, told the Gazette Thursday that group members are looking for answers from the board. “We do not want to accept silence from the board . . . they need to know that a lot more needs to be said before we accept this termination,” he said.
Mr. Sweet had no more to report on the search for a new head of the hospital. Former president and CEO Timothy Walsh has returned on an interim basis.
But Mr. Sweet did say that a number of planning initiatives launched by Mr. Woodin now will be revisited, including a master facilities plan and the expected closure of Wildflower Court, the independent living unit at Windemere, the nursing home that shares the hospital campus and is owned by the hospital. The hospital is an affiliate of Partners Health Care with Massachusetts General Hospital as its parent company.
The master facilities plan was launched by Mr. Woodin soon after his arrival at the hospital in May 2016. A newsletter story posted on the hospital’s website highlighted the role of Emma Schumann, who was recruited by Mr. Woodin to join the staff as a senior project manager. She came to the hospital from Gifford, Vt., where Mr. Woodin had previously headed the Gifford Medical Center, a critical access hospital in central Vermont. In the newsletter, Ms. Schumann was credited for her skills in pulling together the master facilities planning team, cited as being on track to complete work in the fall. “People have been really excited and engaged in our meetings,” Ms. Schumann said for the story.
Ms. Schumann’s job was eliminated two days after Mr. Woodin was fired.
Mr. Sweet confirmed this week that Ms. Schumann no longer works at the hospital, but he downplayed her role in the facilities plan.
“Emma has moved on. I don’t know the circumstances of it specifically, but I know she has moved on,” he said.
He said the master facilities plan remains ongoing but subject to review.
“We are going to look at that to be sure we are taking the right course,” he said.
Similarly, he said earlier announced plans to close Wildflower Court in the fall will be reviewed.
“We want to look at that again and see if we handled it correctly,” he said. He acknowledged the deep financial problems at Windemere which has been hamstrung by a poor reimbursement rate for years. Wildflower Court has only three residents and has been losing $750,000 to $1 million a year.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sweet emphasized that he and every other board member carry the responsibility for the welfare of the hospital.
“For every decision made, I can assure you the best interest of hospital and the Island are at the heart of that decision,” he said. He continued:
“One of the things I want to get across is that this is the same board that hired Joe just a year ago. We couldn’t have been more excited about the experience and conversational style he brought. It should give everyone pause that this board had to make a very difficult . . . . decision that we made a mistake. That was a hard-swallow moment.
“It was our goal once we had made the decision and we thought this wasn’t going to work, to have as graceful an exit as possible. Joe took a different approach. What was also not expected was how personal all this became. As a board we are always prepared for a decision to be questioned, but not our integrity. From a personal standpoint as the chair it is my job to be the voice of the board . . . . my words are not mine alone . . . there should be no doubt that this was not my decision. This is not how a board works. Upon reflection . . . we thought it was going to be a quiet and respectful changing of the guard. We as a board and I as the chair need to accept some responsibility for what happened. Honestly I am sorry for the shock and confusion.” He concluded:
“I don’t know if I can now or ever be able to really talk about what happened. Joe’s management style was not in keeping with the collaborative and inclusive style we had hoped for . . . this was a slow-motion decision, it was not about a specific action or a moment in time. Confidence between a board and a CEO is essential. If that becomes lost, everything cannot work. We are trying desperately to be respectful of privacies, and there are some issues that have to and will always remain private. But it’s not bigger than meets the eye, this is purely a difference in beliefs about management style. And I don’t want to leave this on a negative note. The good news is that when it comes to health care nothing has changed — there is an amazing group of hospital employees working there every day, nothing has changed.
“What Joe came here to do was to continue what had already been a long journey for improvement. We all live and learn and we’ve done a lot of living and learning. This board is absolutely dedicated to doing the right thing. I hope at the end of the day that will be shown.”
Comments
Once again, more platitudes
Alan NYC/ChilmarkOnce again, more platitudes and vague statements from Tim, show some respect for our community and yourself and step down from the board. Feigning surprise at a strong reaction from Islanders at firing a CEO after only a year on the job is disingenuous at best. How are we going to find someone qualified to run our hospital with a board that operates this way? We need changes made NOW to show any future CEOs that they won't have to deal with the toxicity that Joe did.
Well said. His comments read
Slater MVWell said. His comments read like a true politician. Nothing to see here, move along...
And, what exactly does "Joe's
Sue EdgartownAnd, what exactly does "Joe's management style" mean? That the board couldn't accept his visions? That the board sounds like a dictatorship? That the board had NO idea how well liked and respected Joe was? That the board chairman made this dastardly decision without any respect for the community, or, even worse, the great, hard working, dedicated employees of MVH? Seems to me that Tim Sweet has some serious issues with power, or lack of human decency...just arbitrarily made a decision to throw CEO out, then, be surprised by islanders, who are aghast how this was handled? Something is very wrong. And, the whole board needs to answer to this. Sweet's mea culpa is disgraceful and embarrassing.Thank God we have smart and caring people who will contest this whole scenario. Something is terribly wrong. This island deserves better after the hospital was moving into the 21st century, bringing in Mass General, people feeling confident with the care, etc etc. How sad for Joe Wooden to be treated like this.
Why is this a closed-door
Tom West TisburyWhy is this a closed-door meeting? And why doesn't Mr. Sweet do the logical thing and resign? There would be no harm in that. Nice photo.
Tim Sweet must go
Mgt West TisburyTim Sweet must go
That is the only way the public will accept this decision
And now, SUDDENLY, like Joe
If you're truly dedicated to
Susan Desmarais Oak BluffsIf you're truly dedicated to doing the right thing apologize to and reinstate Joe Woodin. With luck and grace he will accept.
"Ms. Schumann’s job was
Islander Too"Ms. Schumann’s job was eliminated two days after Mr. Woodin was fired."
Aha, so I think we now can surmise who Woodin's "sidekick" was/is.
What does that mean???
Gary OBWhat does that mean???
That is a reference to a
Down IslanderThat is a reference to a comment, a quote, in an earlier comments thread
about "Woodin and his sidekick."
This "sidekick" was not identified, I.e,. the commenter did not explain whom he/she meant by that snarky label.
"“It was our goal once we had
Down islander"“It was our goal once we had made the decision and we thought this wasn’t going to work, to have as graceful an exit as possible. Joe took a different approach. "
Really unbelievable, this guy.
Tim "Machiavelli" Sweet still thinks he can shove this mess off on Joe Woodin and blame him for taking an "approach" that was not convenient for Machiavelli." Major miscalculation, Machiavelli!
Good luck to Reisman, Brigash, and Co. Sweet needs to be challenged and forced to account for himself and his misguided actions and really clueless statements.
Tim Sweet digs the board
Fish CrowTim Sweet digs the board hole deeper and wider, and the board members stand around watching.
The board approves an expansion of the "development" office to the refurbished Ben Bow Inn while they squawk about Wildflower Court,. We respect the doctors and nurses who care for us, the others, not so much, whether they have a law degree or not. Too bad it costs almost $100 to get off Island to another source of medical care. Feel free to have another closed meeting; most folks know exactly what is going on
Interesting that the
J. Kenney ChilmarkInteresting that the Development office is being expanded considering that Tim Sweet's wife is the Development Director, you would think that conflict of interest alone would be enough for him to gracefully remove himself from the board. The community is demanding that changes be made to the board immediately, there is so much effort and money tied up in this great new hospital and we are watching helplessly as a 15 member board does repeated damage to this institution.
What??
Down IslanderWhat??
Mrs. Sweet is development director?
This just gets worse and worse.
Both Sweets should gracefully leave the premises.
Could Mr. Sweet's comments be
JT EdgartownCould Mr. Sweet's comments be any more condescending? And out of touch. It is time for him to step aside. I'm shocked the board has allowed him to be chairman for this long, given his rambling narrative and sweep it under the carpet style. As others have said what good CEO would ever want to report to this man?
Tim Sweet needs to go! The
Large Hospital Donor EdgartownTim Sweet needs to go! The hospital WILL NOT see a penny more from me!
SAME!!!!
mf edgartownSAME!!!!
Same here until Sweet is GONE
Paulli D EdgartownSame here until Sweet is GONE. Who is Tim Sweet and what it's his background?
A few things.
LUCKY EDGA few things.
1 Jeanna Shepard's photo accompanying this story is brill.
2 Unless you worked with him and her and were a victim of their chaotic and tyrannical style you should just stop talking.
3 We are damn lucky that we have a board that recognized their mistake and put a stop to this duo.
4 Regardless of his previous successes, something went wrong. I'm not trying to be mean here. Honestly, something. went. wrong.
5 I'm glad Mr. Sweet shed some more light on the situation.
6 I know that some in the community are hurt by this but..
7 Time heals all wounds.
I've worked under Joe his
Really...? OBI've worked under Joe his entire 13 months at MVH. You are describing the sentiments of approximately 3-5% of the staff. The issue is that there is a difference between "tyrannical" and efficient. Just because joe would occasionally ask you to actually do something and stay accountable doesn't make him a tyrant. Same with Emma. You actually are part of the employees that are holding this hospital back. Part of the old boys network, unmotivated, and not invested. Just because your personal interests don't match up with the interests of the hospital and community at large doesn't make anyone a terrible leader. It actually makes them a great leader. Welcome to effective healthcare; you're clearly a rookie.
Your fabricated
Lucky EDGYour fabricated approximations are likely a transposition of the truth. To be an effective CEO you must have all the qualities necessary to lead. Mr. Woodin was absolutely and unequivocally NOT the total package needed to be a true leader at MVH and thankfully the Board realized their mistake and righted the wrong. You should probably entertain the notion that you are wrong too or at least come to grips with the fact that other people have a different opinion than yours and that at least some of these people are not, as you say "Part of the old boys network, unmotivated, and not invested".
It is reassuring to see that
Peter Rockwood West Tisbury/Hastings-on-HudsonIt is reassuring to see that citizens can have some effect over how Martha's Vineyard Hospital is operated. But before more hot air gets to the combustible stage we need to know exactly what went on for the Board to fire Joe Woodin -- not in general terms but specifically and exactly what did Joe do that the board couldn't handle. Tim Sweet needs to step into that.
I agree we need to know
quiet voice Vineyard HavenI agree we need to know details, because what we have been told does NOT add up. I am guessing they are not holding back any details that would make Joe Woodin look bad to us.
Just came across this and
Kate Putnam EdgartownJust came across this and thought it might be helpful as a framework to think about board issues, since that seems to be the focus of complaints. https://knowledge.insead.edu/blog/insead-blog/12-questions-to-determine…
Perhaps selfish to mention,
Julie Anne McNary VHPerhaps selfish to mention, but it is so great to see INSEAD quoted, albeit for a tough reason!
There is still so much about
Disgruntled MV supporter MvThere is still so much about this issue that disturbs me.Wasn't the hospital fund raising campaign spearheaded by Rachel Vanderhoop? Our community generously donated to the construction of this beautiful building but now we are being shut out. A closed meeting with only selected invited guests , no press allowed? You've damaged the credibility of the hospital board- my vote is for Tim to step down as smoothly as he expected Joe to!
Rule #1: It's not the action
John EdgartownRule #1: It's not the action that gets you in trouble, it's the attempt to cover it up.
My problem is how the
William EdgMy problem is how the termination was conducted. Tim Sweet fired, then asked the board to confirm. That really smells. No wonder the community is up in arms. There was no malfeasance Tim Sweet stated. Joe Woodin stated he was blindsided. This implies a complete lack of communication between the board and the CEO. Even if Woodin deserved firing the process was totally flawed on the board's part. If any of the board members have any integrity at all, they should resign. So far no one has and the community has reacted.
Mr. Woodin was not fired
Polly WTMr. Woodin was not fired initially. After the Board conducted a poll it was decided that they would ask for his resignation. Mr. Sweet being Chairman was tasked with relaying this message to Mr. Woodin. When Mr. Woodin refused to resign that day the board then had to have an official vote to terminate him and that was done the next day. From memory of a past quote in TVG from Mr. Sweet, 13 members voted to terminate, one member voted not to terminate and one member abstained. Mr. Sweet did not fire him first and then ask the board to confirm. This was all done by committee and Mr. Sweet was the messenger. FYI
Then why once he refused to
RT WTThen why once he refused to resign that day, was he shut out of his office? Sounds like a termination and then a vote to me.
Well, Polly, clearly he was a
Jerry WTWell, Polly, clearly he was a terrible messenger.
"After the Board conducted a
Down Islander"After the Board conducted a poll it was decided that they would ask for his resignation"
??? What kind of process is this? Who called for the "poll"? What was teh board told, and by whom?
This all sounds very ropy.
Especially since there is no evidence of a normal process for monitoring and guiding
the performance of a new employee and providing
any needed feedback: positive and negative.
"done by committee" Which committee(s)?
Smae comments apply as above. Sounds totally ad hoc.
Were the "committees" also voted into existence the day after Woodin was fired?
the above comment was NOT
PollyK Bassett West TIsburythe above comment was NOT made by me, Polly K Bassett of Briarwood Lane, West Tisbury. I personally have many friends/acquaintances who work at MVH who were shell shocked and disappointed by the recent firing of Mr. Woodin. We concur with all calls for accountability and transparency to the Island community by Mr. Sweet et al, and no further donations will be made by us until then.
They asked him to resign on
LP MVThey asked him to resign on Monday. He refused, on Monday. They informed him his last day was...Monday. He was fired. They, and I'm guessing you, met on Wednesday to formally, officially, publicly fire him. And now Tim Sweet is using Joe's reaction as justification for the Board's ridiculous mismanagement of this fiasco. "See, he wouldn't resign, what did we tell you - the guy's a nightmare".
William hits the nail on the
Bill Edgartown/Weymouth, MAWilliam hits the nail on the head. The BOT needs to show the community how they reached the decision to terminate Mr. Woodin, and, why the actions of Mr. Sweet don't give the appearance of a personal vendetta. Anything less than that will give this governing body and its chairman a vote of no confidence by the community. And Mr. Sweet should resign at that point. Immediately.
I have first hand experience
Proud To Work at MVHI have first hand experience with Joe's management style. He could be tough, but he was always fair. He was infinitely more approachable than previous administrators, and welcomed questions. In his one year at MVH, I think I went to five employee forums, which was five more than I had ever been to before, because there were none, other than the monthly birthday celebrations, which Joe also continued. He held people accountable. There are a lot of wonderful people working at the hospital, but some of them do not do what they were hired to do; they coast, and collect a pay check. Joe was changing that, not by throwing them out, but by making them do their jobs. There are departments where one employee does more than half the work. That is not sustainable. There certainly are people at the hospital who are happy about this, but they are a distinct minority. And, yes, I did a poll, entirely unscientific, but still telling. Of 47 employees asked, 5 were happy with the decision, 3 did not feel they could give an informed opinion, and the rest were/are, very unhappy. Joe treated us all as important members of the hospital, and took a genuine interest in how things were going and what needed to be improved. His management style was to expect hard work towards a common goal; making the hospital the best possible resource for the community, and a place where the best of that community wanted to work. This is a huge loss.
This is exactly how most
Fred T West TisburyThis is exactly how most workers feel !
I want to thank employees who
quiet voice Vineyard HavenI want to thank employees who are speaking out on these pages, on whatever side, all opinions. You are our mainstay for medical care. we need to understand.
I completely agree with the
Per Diem EdgartownI completely agree with the sentments here. A community hospital needs to be run by a competant CEO, which by all accounts Joe was, I also attneded more employee forums then ever. A governing board also needs to be competent and held to standards. The Board has not been competent, but has been wishy washy, and non-transparent. This is a board that we all must trust our health care to. The baord i clearly needs a change of leadersip. I can now count on 2 hands how many CEO's have been at this hopspital in the 32 years on Island. Just a thought, should'nt a hospital board have at least a few members experienced in actual healthcare? and familar with Robert's rules?
What Mr. Sweet did, in firing
Susan West TisburyWhat Mr. Sweet did, in firing Mr. Goodwin without due process, violates the law. Period. The Board, by condescending to approve Mr. Sweet's unilateral move is in violation of its fiduciary mandate. They must all go.
Wow what a read - and Tim
RT WTWow what a read - and Tim Sweet thinks this helps explain this debacle? So he went against the grain of Board members who should have term limits, but have become entrench, thus feeling entitlement to dictate to a CEO just what the hospital vision should and will be - laughable. What's the point of having a CEO is he's simply an errand boy for the entrenched old guard.
He wants to close Windemere, and they want to review it. 3 patients at a cost of $750,000 - 1,000,000? Yes what a terrible CEO. And the board wants to "revisit" this? Thank you Mr.s Brigish and Reisman for calling the board out, and trying to find out what the truth is, and how to correct this mess. Mr. Woodin should be brought back because reading between the lines it's so very obvious what the truth is. Old guard, entrenched old boys want to call the shots, and want an errand boy, and not a true visionary leader. Bring Joe back.
RT,WT.
JoanRT,WT.
I think you said it like it is. The statement by Mr. Sweet, makes no sense. Inappropriate behavior by Mr. Sweet and the board. MV needs as visionary and a person make sure all employees are held accountable in their jobs. I find this all to be underhanded and do not trust Mr. Sweet or the board.
Just what was it that caused
Nannie Bee South ShoreJust what was it that caused all of you to let Joe Wooden go? Was it a criminal action that keeps you from letting us know the truth OR that you don't want the public to reaffirm the sloppiness of how you operate? I'm just curious as are many others.
To much micro management by
Gary brenner New London nh , Oak BluffsTo much micro management by the board. Let joe do what he was hired to do and make the MV hospital one of the best health care facilities. New blood is good and joe provided a spark of energy. Maybe it's time we got a new progressive board who will work with the CEO rather than micro managing him
I have been following this
Barb S. VermontI have been following this situation from afar, as I know of Joe's wonderful work in Vermont. You were lucky to have him, and many of you know that and an open forum should be allowed. You all should fight for that. I do not know Emma but know they were a good team. To say that "Emma has moved on" so casually after she uprooted her family and was fired from that job says it all to me. You are so out of touch and this would never be allowed in a larger community. The board needs to be replaced or begin to be accountable to the people of that community. They need to admit they did the wrong thing.
I worked for Joe. He
CJL VermontI worked for Joe. He listened and considered others ideas. He was not tyrannical, but he was decisive and held people to task. Qualities any good leader and CEO should have. And I can't think of anyone at Gifford that did not have a loyalty to him.
There is an empty feeling in
island101 West TisburyThere is an empty feeling in the hospital as workers plod along, not feeling good about the lack of direction we going without Joe Woodin. The energy Joe brought was not only tangible but exciting because for once the workers felt empowered to be part of the Joe's vision! I can't imagine Emma would leave the hospital in a "move on" capacity because she bought as house on the island, where on the island did she go? We have lost 2 good people who had a vision unmatched by anyone on the board. The board is out of touch with the community and its workers. Sad!
You could have fooled me?? I
JPOB Oak BluffsYou could have fooled me?? I work here and all I see is lots of happy faces now that he is gone :) Joe had two sides to him, one for the public of a nice guy the other was- his way or none. Not a nice guy to work for, very demanding, would never listen to advice, thinks he knows the islanders more then anyone, when angry his face would change and he had a very nasty streak, Emma was his enforcer she would run to him to tell him everything that was going on!!
The board did good to fire him before he made a mess of things, he could have gone with respect but chose to make fool of himself.
That is your opinion, and you
RT WTThat is your opinion, and you are entitled to it, however to say all you see are happy faces I don't think anyone thinks is truthful. I know the guy, from I think both sides and he expressed the idea that he is fortunate to be able to support the staff at the hospital to provide the best care possible. He mentioned this a few times, and I believe him by not only the conviction in his voice, but by listening to the many staff I have come to know through the years.
I am surprised that a
Former CEO Vermont VermontI am surprised that a personnel issue became so public. The bottomline is the Board is ultimately responsible and it is the CEO's role to give the input and get the input for decision making--and it should be clear who does what for whom. Over the years I learned that how you leave an organization is as important as how you began with the organization. Disagreements of this nature are best kept professional verses making public prognostications of summarily fired. The fact is at that level you are an at will employee, and being let go can happen any time. Joe may have done himself a lot more harm then good by going public.
No, I think you're wrong.
Former CEO MassachusettsNo, I think you're wrong. Joe said a few honest words on the first day of his termination, mostly out of shock. Since then he hasn't said a peep. Only the Board has been nattering. Who has the real class?
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