In a move to cut costs, Providence Health & Services in Renton, Wash., eliminated the CEO position at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., reports Union Bulletin.
St. Mary officials said its parent organization decided to eliminate the executive role as it restructures operations to reduce overhead expenses, according to a prepared statement released Oct. 3.
St. Mary spokesperson Kathleen Obenland said the decision will help redirect funds to enhance patient care services at the nonprofit hospital, according to Union Bulletin.
St. Mary's leadership team, which consists of physicians, nurses and administrators, will expand duties to include accountability for daily hospital operations. Kadlec Health System, which became affiliated with St. Mary in 2014, will oversee St. Mary operations through its chief executive, Lane Savitch.
Current St. Mary CEO Steve Burdick will vacate the position by the end of the year, according to the article.