Compensation at Washington's Valley Medical Center Sparks Controversy

Two hospital district commissioners have questioned the appropriateness of compensation at publicly-funded Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash., and have been met by resistance from the other commissioners and hospital officials, according to a King5.com report.

Hospital CEO Rich Roodman is the highest paid public employee in Washington, having made a total of $1.13 million in 2010. His pay included a base salary of $615,000, a bonus of $201,201 and a retention payment of $263,335, resulting in approximately 40 percent more than Seattle's University of Washington Medical Center CEO earns, according to the report.

Commissioners Anthony Hemstad and Aaron Heide, MD, have opposed Mr. Roodman's compensation level since election in 2008 and 2010, respectively. They have met with resistance from the other three commissioners and hospital officials in obtaining information and changing policy. Board president Sue Bowman said the compensation levels are needed for the hospital to stay competitive and retain top executives. The hospital votes on CEO compensation using comparative data from a consulting firm. However, the comparisons typically include non-profit and for-profit facilities, not publicly-funded hospitals.

Read the King5.com report on Valley Medical Center's compensation.

Related Articles on Healthcare Compensation:

University Physicians Among Top Earners in Maryland

Healthcare Occupations Top List of Country's Highest-Paying

Young Physicians Steering Away From Internal Medicine Due to Pay Gap


Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars