New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has reportedly selected an interim CEO to replace Newark, N.J.-based University Hospital's outgoing chief executive who resigned last week, according to nj.com.
Three anonymous sources told nj.com Mr. Murphy's administration has selected Judith Persichilli, BSN, RN, to succeed outgoing CEO John N. Kastanis, whose resignation will be effective on Dec. 14. However, the hospital's board of directors declined to vote on her appointment during a meeting Dec. 10.
Ms. Persichilli, who served as the CEO of Newtown Square, Pa.-based Catholic Health East before its 2013 merger with Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, was responsible for crafting a report on the hospital's finances and leadership decisions in recent years.
The 37-page report, released Dec. 10, surmises the hospital has suffered a leadership void since the state dissolved its parent company roughly five years ago. It also states Mr. Kastanis alienated the community and the state health department, and that the board of directors failed to hold hospital leadership accountable.
"The organization does not have a strategic plan and as such does not have a financial plan," the report stated.
Such mismanagement was evident in the hospital's handling of a bacterial outbreak in its neonatal intensive care unit earlier this year, during which at least three infants died, according to the report. The report reveals the bacterial infection was initially discovered in June and that staff took preventive measures to contain the spread of the bacteria. However, "leadership throughout the organization was either not aware of the issue or did not appear to respond effectively when made aware," the report claims.
The report also suggests University Hospital re-examine its financial commitments, particularly with regard to its clinical services agreement with its physicians and emergency department, which the report states is routinely overcrowded and maintains higher-than-average wait times for patients.
Mr. Kastanis joined University Hospital in March 2016.
To access the full report, click here.