Megan Ryan has been terminated from her role as CEO of Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y., Newsday reported June 20.
At a June 10 meeting, Nassau Health Care Corp.’s board voted to place Ms. Ryan on administrative leave and named Richard Becker, MD, as interim CEO. In a letter issued by Dr. Becker and obtained by Newsday, he alleged that Ms. Ryan authorized $3.5 million in payments to herself and 12 others around May 30, including at least $1 million in excess of what was owed, adding that she was “terminated for cause.”
The letter said the payments included unused sick and vacation time as well as “excessive termination payments” Ms. Ryan authorized for herself, according to the report.
“All payments approved by Ms. Ryan were based on time lawfully accrued, and every decision was made in full accordance with hospital policies and over 25 years of established practice,” Ms. Ryan’s attorney, Alex Hartzband, said in a statement shared with Becker’s on June 20. “Ms. Ryan’s integrity and record of accomplishment to improve healthcare for Nassau County residents are beyond reproach.”
Before being placed on administrative leave, Ms. Ryan had shared plans to resign July 20 following a state-approved restructuring of the hospital’s board. She was among 10 leaders who recently left or announced plans to leave the organization, with several citing the governance changes in their resignation letters.
Becker’s has reached out to Nassau University Medical Center and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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