<p>Adding another twist to the rapid series of events around the sudden ouster of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital's chief executive, the two leading members of hospital board of trustees said Wednesday that a formal vote was taken to terminate president and CEO Joe Woodin.</p>
Adding another twist to the rapid series of events around the sudden ouster of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital chief executive officer and president Joe Woodin, the two leading members of hospital board of trustees confirmed Wednesday that an emergency meeting had been called earlier in the day where a formal vote was taken to terminate Mr. Woodin.
The vote was after the fact — Mr. Woodin was ousted Monday morning after just 13 months on the job, sparking an outcry in the Vineyard community.
Speaking together to the Gazette by phone Wednesday afternoon, hospital board chairman Timothy Sweet and vice chairman Edward Miller said all but one of board’s 15 trustees participated in the meeting. The vote was nearly unanimous, they said, with one dissenting party that they did not name.
And for the first time since Monday, the two board leaders spoke in guarded terms about the specific reasons for the ouster, repeatedly citing confidentiality concerns but describing a growing rift between the CEO and the board. “Joe had lost the confidence of the board,” Mr. Sweet said. “And that was a culmination of multiple reasons. What I need to be clear about —and for Joe’s sake — is that there was no malfeasance . . . there is no dark secret. Joe was professional and honorable and I want to leave it there.” He continued:
“Losing the confidence of the board is something you can’t get back. It really is a matter of trusted judgment. We were starting to go in different directions about what we thought was right for the future. In essence it was about how the hospital should govern itself. To his credit Joe took issues and ran with it. But there may have been a difference of opinion about where ultimate authority lies . . . It got more difficult about where final decisions should rest.”
Mr. Miller added: “Not in terms of the board micromanaging in any way, but in terms of where the final decision lay.”
Mr. Sweet also said Mr. Woodin had recently asked for a raise, which triggered an internal review.
“And out of that process concerns arose,” he said.
The board chairman also took responsibility for public confusion over how the announcement about Mr. Woodin’s departure was handled. A press release issued Monday by hospital leaders said only that Mr. Woodin was stepping down. Reached by phone that day, Mr. Sweet declined further comment and would not say whether there had been a board vote. But Mr. Woodin said bluntly that he had been asked by Mr. Sweet to resign, and had refused. He told the Gazette he had been summarily fired without warning or reason, characterizing it as a power play by the board chairman.
“I’m being tossed. I’m not resigning,” Mr. Woodin said.
On Wednesday Mr. Sweet and Mr. Miller sought to clarify the sequence of events. “Stepping down was a nuance,” Mr. Sweet said, referring to the language in the press release. Mr. Miller agreed. “The word stepping down . . . we used that term because it could mean anything . . . but the more it got out it became impossible,” he said.
“What happened was a very messy fallout and we feel heartsick about it,” Mr. Sweet said.
He continued:
“The error is ours — it never occurred to us that he wouldn’t take the opportunity to do what is best — that’s why there were mixed messages and for that we apologize.”
Mr. Sweet said there had not been a formal vote of the trustees taken before the action was taken on Monday. “It was a board decision, board members had been polled, there was not a formal vote . . . . to give Joe a chance to step down. When things went differently . . . we had to have a confirmatory vote to terminate him.”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Mr. Sweet called the decision difficult but also made it clear that the ultimate responsibility for the hospital rests with the board. “Ensuring the ongoing strength and viability of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is a responsibility entrusted to the board of trustees,” he wrote. “Every one of us takes this obligation to heart. We remain committed to making sure that this hospital is the best it can be now and into the future. Making difficult — sometimes unpopular — decisions is part of the role we have accepted.”
Meanwhile, the two board leaders confirmed that former CEO Tim Walsh has already come out of retirement to step in as interim CEO at the hospital. And a search will begin for a new president and chief executive officer at the Island’s only hospital.
“We are in the process of forming a search committee today as quickly as possible,” Mr. Sweet said.
There are 15 trustees on the hospital board, including Mr. Sweet, Mr. Miller, Mr. Woodin and Dr. Pieter Pil, the chief medical officer. The board also includes the general counsel for Partners Health Care, Brent L. Henry. Other members are:
Earle A. Ray, (treasurer), Mary R. Brown, (secretary), Debra A. Burke, Susan C. Crampton, Dr. Michael R. Jaff, A. Anthony James, Ronald H. Rappaport, John H. Schaefer, Warren J. Spector, and Walter S. Teller.
Mr. Sweet said all but Dr. Jaffe, president of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, participated in the meeting Wednesday.
Comments
Maybe he wanted to put
Martha C Luce Vineyard HavenMaybe he wanted to put patients in the rooms, instead of offices. Just curious as to total square footage in the building; how much allocated to patients and how much to offices, empty space, etc.
These people oughta be
Alison OBThese people oughta be explaining themselves. If the Board of the hospital is not doing what is in the best interest of us island folk, we should find out how to fire them. They are playing with my healthcare and my families. If I have to go there for an emergency or my kids do, I don't want to find out my life is in the hands of people who are only on a Board to seem important and serve themselves! SHAME ON YOU! Please keep investigating.
Why don't these Board members
Poppy Vineyard HavenWhy don't these Board members answer the phone and comment? Me thinks they have something to hide!
I am a nurse at MVH, I have
Nurse at MVHI am a nurse at MVH, I have been a nurse for 30 years. I have never worked for an organization where people and we are people have been treated this way. Our leader, Joe Woodin, is caring, responsible, approachable and has a positive vision for this hospital organization. We want him to remain as our CEO. We don't know what happened on the Board but whatever it is they need to correct it and reinstate Mr Woodin back to his position, as our future as great Hospital organization so depends on it moving forward. Please listen to the community and us, the employees, the people who serve with compassion for our patients.
Facts are needed
By The SeaFacts are needed
The statement made by the
Michael OBThe statement made by the nurse of 30 years are all the facts this community needs.
A beautifully stated
Let'sBeClearA beautifully stated sentiment, and one that is shared by so many of us at the hospital. What happens when employees lose confidence in the Board of Trustees? Who do we speak to about that?
The nurses ARE the hospital
Mgt West TisburyThe nurses ARE the hospital
If they think something smells about this sudden firing
Then it smells REALLY BAD and we should listen to the nurses at a meeting set up by the board
Oh dear. Must we wait for
June D. Manning AquinnahOh dear. Must we wait for smoke signals to be emitted from the ivory tower as to the outcome of all this? A bad movie that continues to play over and over. Been through many MV Hospital administrators and boards. Really only know four of the fifteen current board members and three of those I would count on for a straight answer. This is very sad. We depend on MV Hospital. I spent nearly seven hours in the ER last night. When Mr. Woodin started, I was informed that he was very approachable and attentive to the community. The one telephone call made, referred me to Mr. Ferret and there was of course never a response. The community deserves answers and sooner rather than later as the donor dollars will be donated elsewhere. How sad, especially after all the MV Hospital has gone through all these tumultuous decades and just when there was thoughts of an even keel.
Tim Sweet's explanations
Islander TooTim Sweet's explanations certainly sound garbled to me.
In fact, it sounds as though he isn't thinking quite straight and is making up his story as he goes along.
He thought that Woodin would "do what is best" and just disappear for Sweet's convenience when told to do so by Sweet?
Sweet really thought he could uses euphemisms ("step down") in what was obviously a charged situation, one is which Sweet had no authority from the board to fire Woodin? I bet the bard members were as shocked as Woodin.
And then, on top of that, very likely not pleased to get their arms twisted to back up Sweet with a vote? Who knows what the board members were told.
The ex post facto vote can be dismissed as damage-control window dressing
I am absolutely in a state of
Jean Mallary Hanover, NHI am absolutely in a state of disbelief about the termination of Joe Woodin. I used to live in Vermont and was a Gifford Hospital Board member when we recruited Joe back in the 90s. He saved our hospital and was never anything but a fine and professional leader, concerned, to his core, for the wellbeing of the hospital, staff and patients. His relationship with the board was always courteous and collegial, and we worked together to bring our shared visions to fruition. We were more than proud of him; we loved him.
I am shocked that a man of such integrity, foresight and promise is being banished without cause. I trust the people of Martha's Vineyard will demand and receive an explanation to their satisfaction. They should know what they are losing.
AMEN Jean! Very well said. He
Dorothy Shannon, RN New HampshireAMEN Jean! Very well said. He is a man of complete character, integrity & honor. The community & hard working staff...the ones in the trenches...lost BIG in the actions of the narrow sighted, self-important Board. Joe will no doubt become another hospital's greatest blessing & God will stand with him! Jeremiah 29:11
The only people smiling today
Island RN EDThe only people smiling today that work in the hospital are those in the administrative wing. That's 200 steps away from the rest of the employees, but 200 miles from reality. If you had walked those 200 steps today, you wouldn't be seeing smiles from us. Nope, not a one. Mr Woodin was not the problem. He was looking to change the stagnicity that has plagued that wing for years. If your one of the minority that didn't like Joe, then you hate change, accountability for your actions, or didn't like to work hard, period. So here we are, 10 steps back with same usual suspects in far wing. They'll all be celebrating tonight. I'm guessing Beach Road...Go Say hi.
Good luck explaining this one away Mr. Sweet...Everyone is waiting.
Its great to see the rest of the island is feeling the same way as the MVH employees. We, the workers, the caregivers, the faces of MVH...we like Mr Woodin. We like Working for Mr Woodin. He was Doing a great job. Its time for change, but the wrong guy left. Expect to see more of the same old closed door, going through the motions administration with him gone. Sad.
Honestly, did you conduct a
MVH EMP#5 WTHonestly, did you conduct a poll? Please speak for yourself in these matters and avoid making sweeping statements. I (and MANY others here) embrace change and perform our jobs with integrity and loyalty to "patients first". Maybe you weren't involved with him directly, maybe you were. Either way perhaps you didn't notice his condescending and narcissistic nature, his uncanny ability to "put you in your place", his claim to be "one of the people" but yet never failing to remind you of "his power", or his disrespectful treatment of some of your hardworking coworkers. It's ok if you didn't witness these things but I tell you who did. The Board. No doubt he had some good qualities but thankfully the board identified aspects of his personality and management style that were truly not a good fit for this hospital. One thing you were right about though was there wasn't much smiling going on today. I'm glad he's gone but I wasn't walking around with a smile on my face. You know why? Because I'm a professional and patient care comes first. This hospital is not about Joe Woodin and his ego and the board made a good decision in letting him go. Also, I've never been to Beach Road so I'm not sure if your comment was a recommendation or not...
She speaks for me!
Fred Thornbrugh West TisburyShe speaks for me!
This hospital is compromised
MVH EMP #4 EDGThis hospital is compromised of hundreds of hardworking individuals. For anyone to think that their care here will be compromised because of the departure of a CEO who had been here for about 27 minutes (in the grand scheme of things) is quite ridiculous. The notion that the quality care that this hospital provides hinges upon one man? Please. The uproar from some in this community is a slap in the face to the dedicated folks who are your neighbors, friends, family (literally and metaphorically speaking) and many more strangers who take their roles here very seriously and come to work day in and day out to provide care and compassion to the well and sick alike. Does everyone here have the same drive and work ethic? Of course not. This is true of all work environments. We will be just fine without Joe Woodin and I'm sure he will land on his feet as well. I'm proud of my co-workers, staff, supervisors and managers and this hospital. I'm proud to work here and I am certain we will survive this transition. We will take care of you.
If the President and CEO won
WashAbhored EdgartownIf the President and CEO won't make a difference why have one? Leaders make a big difference. Perhaps the uproar is because Mr. Woodlin was making a positive difference and the patients and community were seeing it. Your discounting of their (meaning the patients/customers) is also a slap in the face to them. People trust MVH with their lives - their opinion should count.
So let me get this straight,
Fred EdgartownSo let me get this straight, Mr. Sweet bungles his attempt to get the Hospital CEO to resign. After he refuses to resign he is terminated. Then Mr Sweet, in a failed attempt to mislead, tells the community in a press release that Mr. Wooden "stepped down". In response to community outrage that followed the Hospital Board gets together to officially fire the hospital CEO. This is the same Board that told us 13 months ago when Mr Wooden was hired that he was a perfect fit to run the hospital. Only after he asked for a raise did they conduct an internal review and discover he was not that perfect fit. He lost the confidence of the Board we are told. Why? No answer given citing confidentiality. Well as a year round Islander I, along with hundreds of others, have lost confidence in the Hospital Board. No transparency, poor performance, incompetent governance. It's time to take back our hospital. Let's ask them all to "step down". If they refuse, let's fire them all by an Islandwide petition.
Martha's Vineyard is very
Employee of MVH for many years VHMartha's Vineyard is very fortunate to have such a great committed board of trustees for our hospital. The board is right ounce trust has been broken you can never get it back. Also wow he asked for a raise really? I won't go further into all of that but WOW!
Oh and did I mention how I have heard from many co workers how Joe talked down to people including people in administration, doctors and regular staff.
I'm happy about the boards decision.
and also happy that Tim Walsh is back until they find us a new CEO!!
Joe did make some good changes to MVH but I know that everything will keeping changing for the better without him as our CEO!!
the only ones who keep their
charlie callahan so boston/ edgartownthe only ones who keep their jobs are the ones who have something on someone else. I wouldn't go there for an earache
It certainly isn't news that
Sara Piazza EdgartownIt certainly isn't news that the island chews up and spits out talented people.
My thoughts exactly! I see
Chris VHMy thoughts exactly! I see good people from off-island come in to bring about positive change and then either get chased off or choose to leave themselves when they realize how much of an uphill battle against nepotism and corruption they will face.
Precisely stated!
Peter Oak BluffsPrecisely stated!
I will admit I am a visitor
Ellen Off IslandI will admit I am a visitor to the Island several times a year. I will also admit I know nothing of MVH. What I do know is Joe Woodin. His wife was one of my dearest friends. I have known Joe for over 20 years as a husband, Dad, grandfather, neighbor and friend. I saw the courage Joe showed by leaving a job he loved to start anew after suffering personal losses. I saw his renewed excitement for the job and how he embraced the Island community. No one has more integrity, sensitivity, forethought, or credentials to give MVH patients, staff and community the service they deserve. He did it before. Just ask the folks at Gifford. You have lost a good one.
Over a quarter of a century
Islander Martha's Vineyard, MassachusettsOver a quarter of a century ago I came to the Vineyard to interview for a job in healthcare. After I left I was told by the CEO that one of the people with whom I had interviewed had said, "He won't last long. No competent people stay here." I am competent, and I stayed, but I am the exception. You will all remember who was the hospital CEO in 1991, and the number of CEOs who have passed through the hospital since. Mr. Woodin put them all to shame. I, for one, will miss him. Meanwhile, the current inhabitants of "Mahogany Row" will all sleep well tonight. They'll all have jobs until they're ready to retire.
How competent is a board that
MarieHow competent is a board that hires and fires a CEO so quickly?
Maybe time for a change in the board.
I am a nurse employed by
RN, MVH VHI am a nurse employed by Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. I am deeply saddened and concerned by this turn of events. I can unequivocally say that since Mr Woodin joined our organization, the level of professionalism, accountability, authenticity, and adeptness of communication has been elevated to a level beyond anything I have witnessed prior to his engagement. We began to see this filtering down to all levels within our organizational structure. We’ll probably never know the true motive for this decision. But I would like to ask the Board of Trustees to specifically explain where Mr. Woodin’s vision differed from their own in terms of the needs of our community, and allow Mr. Woodin to respond in a professional discourse.This may help resolve our unrest.
And Mr Woodin, there are so many hospital employees and community members that want to reach out to you in support, if you might kindly provide a means to do so it would be most appreciated. In my current view, devoid of any meaningful facts, I must say my personal position is such that wherever you next settle, Mr. Woodin, that place will be better for having you there.
I don't work in the health
Dukie Chilmark/Off-IslandI don't work in the health care industry, but my wife does. She is the COO of a community hospital in another state. She constantly fights with the entrenched staff that resists positive change and patient first care-giving. From the tenor of the comments, it seems like the patient care staff liked Mr. Woodin since he was trying to promote modern care standards. The people who thought he was a tyrant are the back-office folks.
Whether that is true or not, the way this was handled doesn't seem very professional. My wife is constantly having recruiters trying to get her to change jobs. But I'm sure she will avoid this one. Toxic jobs don't get good candidates. And jobs were you need to buy a million dollar starter house? I'm sorry to say this but, good luck finding a competent CEO replacement.
You are so right. What
Fred EdgartownYou are so right. What competent hospital CEO would want to deal with such an incompetent and disfunctional Board.
What baffles me is how
RN WTWhat baffles me is how someone felt the power to fire him on Monday morning, without the board meeting to officially vote on it until Wednesday? Who thinks they have the right to do that...that is what needs to be addressed. I am sad for the reputation of MVH and the negative feeling the community is burdened with once again.Joe seemed like a breath of fresh air, so needed there.
No one finds it strange that
I Can't EvenNo one finds it strange that this man worked for more than 20 years at hospitals in Vermont with nothing but rave reviews, but comes to Martha's Vineyard and lasts 13 months? Not because he did anything wrong, but because he didn't recognize the supreme authority of the board. And the best his critics can come up with is he hurt their feelings? He got fired for the same qualities that got him hired in the first place. And if people at MVH start getting fired for being crabby, there will be tumbleweeds and crickets in the hallways. Start looking within folks.
And, Mr. Sweet, you don't get
I Can't EvenAnd, Mr. Sweet, you don't get to dictate how an employee whom you are firing without warning responds or reacts; or "what is best". And Mr. Miller, their is nothing nuanced about "stepping down"; it implies a deliberate action, as in "I choose to throw myself off of this cliff" not "I am being thrown off of this cliff".
Clearly the board need to be
Alan NYC/ChilmarkClearly the board needs to be evaluated, this was gross mismanagement and a thoroughly inadequate explanation to the public about their reasoning. I too worry about what sort of qualified CEO would ever join MVH after seeing this kind of behavior from the board. We need changes now.
I am sure there are some fine
RD WTI am sure there are some fine and honorable people who make up the board of Trustees, however, it seems they made an error, and are doing a sloppy job trying to correct things. We the people of Martha's Vineyard would like an explanation of how you do an extensive search for a new CEO, find Joe Woodin, and hire him, but after only 13 months he is summarily fired. Was there a warning? A sit down to explain the ultimate chain of command, and if he didn't like it then he could resign? How do you do this to a man who uproots himself, and family, and makes the huge decision to buy a home on the Vineyard, thereby attempting to plant roots in the community - this tells me he isn't here for 3 or 5 years, but here as a final destination. We have contributed to the hospital in many ways, as I and many others have contributed greatly - in fact some in the hospital had automatic deductions towards the new shiny building we now see/ We want to know what happened, and we want to know if as you say if there were no malfeasance, then how do you let a CEO, who has overwhelming(not universal) support in the hospital and community go. There is no single position in the community more important than the CEO of the hospital - not selectman, sheriff, bridge tender, ice cream guy, no one has a greater impact on such an important aspect of life - our healthcare, and we feel the board should not have the power to make such a decision without due process - and in this case, at least according to the facts as they have been presented in these articles, and from the statements by Mr. Sweet and Mr. Miller it clearly appears there was no due process, but instead, a board member making a brash decision which affects the island wide community in a way that it seems the clear majority overwhelmingly disagrees with. Please explain yourselves. WE SHOULD BE FORMING A DEMONSTRATION?PROTEST OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCES UNTIL OUR VOICES ARE HEARD!!!!
Joe Woodin was able to
MVH Patient Care ProfessionalJoe Woodin was able to balance the needs of the patients along with the needs of the staff at the hospital. He recognized the fact that doctors, nurses, medical assistants, cna's, and office staff needed support too. A happy, supported staff is better able to focus our efforts on the needs of our patients. I feel that the hospital board of "trustees" failed the island this week. It was a cold, calculated, backstabbing move that only demonstrates the need of those in "power" to bully the man on the front lines. I don't see the board members walking the halls of the hospital talking to patients, talking to staff, and really taking the time to listen to what they're saying and considering whether or not they can really do something about it. Joe knew us all. He cared about us all. His number one priority were those who walked through the doors of the hospital... not those who sit at a table and make unilateral decisions based on a bottom line or someone's ego. The board of trustees is the very definition of the "good old boy's club". To them, I would say "Check your ego at the door. It does not serve us well."
I know Joe Woodin only in
Baffled Onlooker VTI know Joe Woodin only in passing and happened upon this article because a mutual friend alerted me to it. But as a member of three non-profit boards, I know this: ultimate authority for all operational decisions, as long as they are legal and ethical, ALWAYS lies with the executive. The executive serves the board and is reviewed regularly for their performance against objectives. That is where the board can change direction by changing executives. But the board should never have authority over operational decisions. Only the most dysfunctional of boards would expect CEOs to be their lapdogs. If there was "a difference of opinion about where ultimate authority lies" then it was Mr. Sweet whose opinion was just plain wrong. My advice to hospital donors is to demand Sweet's departure.
I interacted with Joe
Roger ChappyI interacted with Joe multiple times over the past 13 months, and this is a disgrace to both him and the island as a whole. The purpose of the board chair is to act as a reflection of the whole board, which he CLEARLY WASN'T. This was almost certainly a singular move by Tim Sweet to push the new guy out, and he didn't follow the process correctly. I have a feeling this will come back to bite him extremely hard. I have a feeling things will get very interesting very quickly. I'll get the popcorn ready.
I worked with Joe for 17
Linda VermontI worked with Joe for 17 years- and never worked with a more capable, skilled, engaged, and passionate leader. He held us accountable, gave us a clear vision, helped us work in great teams. At the end of the day we felt proud of what we accomplished, enjoyed our work. We received many awards for patient and resident satisfaction and clinical quality. We met our budget 16 years in a row? It is time to change the MV Board leadership- they are too nearsighted and cannot see the larger picture. The hardworking island people need to speak up, stage a protest or a sit in. Change is hard- but if everyone does not support each other- the status quo will never change. Too bad for MV- they have lost a great leader, a friend, and community member. I encourage you to make your voices heard to the Board. I know you can do it!
I can certainly relate to the
Former MVH employee CapeI can certainly relate to the sting Joe Woodin felt by being summarily dismissed. Recently my employer (not MVH) dismissed me from my position based on heresay, vendetta, and aggrandizement by people in Administration. I was never allowed to recover my own personal property and patient contacts, or have any closure with my patients. All this occurred without interviewing fellow employees and patients regarding allegations. As appalling as that is, the biggest loosers are the patients at MVH. I loved my patients and they were always my first responsibility. It is so disheartening that entrenched petty politics and bias continue to harm MVH, its employees and patients. The Board and Administration have made it clear that proponents of constructive change and high-quality patient care are not welcome.
Unless Mr. Woodin was doing
William EdgUnless Mr. Woodin was doing something illegal or doing something that put the hospital at immediate risk there is no excuse for the way he was removed. Is there a board within the board at MVH? Did Mr. Sweet have the support of enough board members that he could take action on his own? Did all board members vote? Presumably they only need eight board members to constitute a quorum which means Mr. Sweet would only need as little as four additional votes unless at least 10 or more board members attended. Did as little as 1/3 of the board decide for the rest?
If I were on the board and there was no evidence of immediate risk to the hospital or illegal activity and it was Mr. Sweet dictating the circumstances without prior consent by vote of the board I would have motioned the removal of Mr. Sweet. Assuming that motion failed I would resign in protest.
It would be great to know who attended the emergency meeting and how they voted. As of right now my trust of the MVH board is extremely low. I know I am not alone.
This was all triggered by him
Ken Edg.This was all triggered by him asking for a raise. Id like to hear more about that.
We need changes made on the
Jason Edg.We need changes made on the hospital board immediately, this was incompetent on so many levels, the community has lost all faith in their ability to manage our hospital. I will not be donating until changes are made.
Mr. Sweet better stop trying
Patient/Resident/MVH Volunteer Vineyard HavenMr. Sweet better stop trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the island community. Mr Wooten has been a breath of fresh air. Most of the staff who had been uplifted by his management style and active participation in what the concerns are of the staff as well as actually speaking with the patients to get their input we are all alarmed that this man who we looked forward to bringing the hospital into the present century has been treated so horribly. Mr. Wooten needs to be reinstated and Mr. Sweet needs to tender his resignation. It is extremely unprofessional to allow your personal relationships to influence the advancement and success of the hospital. I don't want to volunteer my time nor continue to donate any funds to an institution that would allow such an injustice. There needs to be a real investigation and we should start with Mr. Sweet's motives. The only people that work at the hospital that were happy about this are people who have not been doing any work there for years and now they know that no-one is going to expect them to do any work as past practice.
In an effort to understand
RN, MVH VHIn an effort to understand the role of governance at MVH, I began reviewing published journal articles concerning the roles and responsibilities of board members. The following are a few items that stood out in my search:
“Ineffective governance compromises the ability of the management to succeed. Effective governance, in contrast, greatly assists the organization. Effective governance has the following characteristics: it is efficient, allows a respectful conflict of ideas, is simple, is focused, is integrated and synergistic, has good outcomes, preserves community assets, and leads to enjoyment and personal reward for the individual board members,” and might I add, for the employees of the hospital and community at large.
“The ethical standards of the organization are determined by the behavior of the board.” The undue process that Mr. Woodin has experienced appears to be an extension of the ethical standard of our board, needing further investigation.
“The wheel of effective governance has 3 spokes: behavior, structure, and expectations. If one of these spokes breaks down, the board will have a flat tire, and the faulty governance process can compromise the organization's ability to move forward.”
We have a flat tire here. We can re-inflate it, which of course may work for a brief time, but may leave us stranded down the road a ways. Or we can change the tire and continue our journey safe and sound.
The question arises among many workers of this organization; how do we go about changing a flat tire?
Article Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1276331/
There are too many workers at
Fred island101 Vineyard HavenThere are too many workers at the hospital that are reactionary!! The profession is geared toward being effective at reacting in a clear swift manner, but some carry it into areas where it shouldn't exist? A focus in any organization is better suited to a long term focus, short term tends to be done in haste, which often results in a fractured brittle hot headed workers.
Joe Woodin was a forward thinker and shared his vision with us every step of the way, I am sad to see he is gone. It will be interesting how the board builds their new criteria for a new CEO!
We are very fortunate to have
Dr Hans Peter Koesler Oak BluffsWe are very fortunate to have such wonderful hospital in our community. I regret that the board did not have a more polished way to separate from their appointed CEO. What was the hurry in the process - this is not how things are done or has the board become student of the ' you are fired' style?
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