Some said they would leave the hospital if the board does not fire Mr. Thames immediately.
At a meeting Wednesday, an overwhelming majority of physicians voted to terminate the executive’s contract as soon as possible. The meeting was called by petition after physicians issued complaints about the lack of nursing and support staff, claiming staff had been demoted, fired, transferred and quit, according to the report.
Mr. Thames, who has led the hospital since June 2013, denied these claims Thursday in an email, saying he was unaware of demotions and firings, and that nurses are staffed by hours-per-patient day.
“The changes made at Citizens Medical Center over the past year are the same changes being made at hospitals all over the country,” he said. “I assure you we are doing what is in the best interest of our patients and the community. Quality patient care is at the forefront of everything we do,” he wrote in the email.
The board has not set a date yet to evaluate Mr. Thames’ contract, according to the report.
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