Tampa General CEO says board pushed his resignation, finances played a role

Kelly Gooch -

Former Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital CEO Jim Burkhart is speaking out about the circumstances surrounding his unexpected resignation.

In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Mr. Burkhart said the hospital's board of directors pushed him out of the job, and that the hospital's finances played a role in his ouster.

Mr. Burkhart told the publication TGH's financial position is stable, but that board members had worries.

"They would like to see the finances be better because we're in an environment where you are trying to build a healthcare system," he said.

Calls made Wednesday to board chairman John A. Brabson Jr. by the Tampa Bay Times were not returned.

The publication obtained unaudited financial statements from October, which, according to the report, show TGH's revenues and expenses were consistent over the last fiscal year.

Mr. Burkhart led TGH for nearly four years. When he was hired, one of his duties was to chart a strong financial course for the standalone hospital, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

The report states Mr. Burkhart also was given the task of smoothing relations with the hospital's primary teaching partner, the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa. USF medical school dean Charles Lockwood told the publication that goal was achieved.

Now that Mr. Burkhart resigned, the hospital selected Steve Short, current executive vice president and CFO, to serve as acting president and CEO, effective immediately. The hospital is initiating a national search for a permanent CEO.

 

 

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