Tulare (Calif.) Local HealthCare District's board of directors voted to release CEO Phil Smith after one year in the role, The Sun-Gazette reported Dec. 14.
Mr. Smith stepped into the CEO role Dec. 1, 2021, after Sandra Ormonde, who led the district through bankruptcy and a hospital management change, resigned. Mr. Smith's last day was Dec. 2 following a Nov. 29 board meeting, according to The Sun-Gazette.
"The Tulare Local Healthcare District has released CEO, Philip Smith, after completion of his one-year contract and thanks him for his many services to advance the district's efforts and financial stability," the district wrote in a statement released Dec. 8, according to the newspaper.
In addition to the vote to release Mr. Smith, the board also approved a $61,000 severance package for him, The Sun-Gazette reported.
Mr. Smith became CEO after serving on the district's board. He assumed the role after the hospital in Tulare reopened in 2018 under a management agreement with Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health. Currently, the Tulare hospital is working to complete a new patient tower to meet state seismic standards.
Former Adventist Health administrator Randy Dodd was selected as interim CEO for the district.