Mark Borden, MD, resigned from the board of commissioners for Coupeville, Wash.-based WhidbeyHealth, effective June 25, making him the third board member to step down in 2026.
The board is in the process of filling the vacancy, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Becker’s.
It follows the resignations of James Golder, effective Jan. 23, and James Canby, effective Jan. 26.
Dr. Borden told the South Whidbey Record that he also planned to resign in January but CEO Nathan Staggs requested he delay his departure until the board was stabilized with new members, the local newspaper reported June 30.
In a video recording of the June 25 meeting in which Dr. Borden announced his resignation, he pointed to improvements across both board leadership and hospital goals.
“This is the first time we’ve had what I consider to be an excellent, solid board since 2008,” Dr. Borden said. “… I have an incredibly optimistic, hopeful feeling for our hospital.”
In a Jan. 22 board meeting, the commissioners voted to terminate Mr. Staggs as CEO and reversed the decision during the same meeting after hospital staff pushback. Also in the meeting, the board voted 3-2 to remove Marian Jouas, MSN, RN, as board president and reinstate Mr. Golder, former board president. That decision was also reversed during the meeting and Mr. Golder subsequently resigned as commissioner.
WhidbeyHealth operates a critical access hospital and several facilities offering primary and outpatient care.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
