David Neal is out as chief executive of Arcata, Calif.-based Mad River Community Hospital, a member of the hospital's Community Health Advisory Board confirmed to the Outpost.
Managers and other hospital personnel were informed of Mr. Neal's departure on Jan. 22, according to the newspaper.
When Becker's reached out for further information about the decision, hospital spokesperson Cynthia Keene provided the following statement: "We do not comment on personnel-related decisions, so I am unable to answer your questions."
Mr. Neal served as chief executive of the hospital. This is separate from the CEO title still held by Douglas Shaw, according to the Outpost.
According to Mr. Neal's LinkedIn page, Mr. Neal had served as chief executive of the hospital since December 2021.
His departure comes after Mad River Community Hospital announced in May its intent to sell itself to management company Southwest Healthcare Services. The hospital at the time said it expected to reach a final agreement by fall 2023. However, the 78-bed, acute care medical facility remains locally owned and independently operated.
In a letter to hospital staff Jan. 17, which was referenced by the Outpost, Mr. Shaw said the hospital continues to have regular meetings with Southwest "to ensure that, if there is an opportunity to work together, it will be mutually beneficial."
He also said the hospital aims to take its time rather than rushing into any deal, and he will share more information, including a transition date, "if and when it becomes available."
"Please understand that the board of directors and I remain committed to doing whatever is best for the community and our hospital," Mr. Shaw said. "We are confident about Mad River's future and continued viability; however, we understand what needs to be done for all of us to prosper for years to come. We will continue to make significant investments in capital projects, equipment and staff; recruit new providers; improve our primary services; and expand into new and profitable service lines."
Read the full Outpost report here.