Mr. Scott sent a letter to SMCS Jan. 4 outlining his concerns about the system’s financial position amid leadership issues and staff concerns. He asked health system officials to create a detailed care plan and highlight how state officials can be of assistance to the system.
In his Jan. 9 letter to the governor, SMCS Board Chairman George Lamb said “all options are on the table” to improve the system’s financial prospects. He also noted the institution has hired an interim CFO and is actively searching for ways to recover the $8 million to $10 million SMCS needs to become financially stable, the report states.
“We have identified a long list of potential actions. Some of these financial improvement opportunities can start quickly. Others will take a bit longer, so that we can continue to assure the proper care of patients and fulfill our regional healthcare obligations,” Mr. Lamb wrote.
Mr. Lamb said SMCS, which recently finalized a management agreement with Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health Resources on Jan. 8, is in the process of appointing an interim CEO and will do so “in the coming days,” according to the report.
SMCS has faced several challenges in recent months, including failing to pay vendors on time, low employee morale and questions from community members about Quorum’s expertise on managing the system. The hospital system’s CEO and CFO also abruptly departed from the organization in December.
To access the full report, click here.
More articles on leadership:
Interim CEO of Texas hospital resigns
Dr. John Mendelsohn, president emeritus of MD Anderson, dies at 82
Living like a leader: A day with Tenet’s Northern California CMO Dr. Gabrielle Gaspar
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.