Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, the parent company of Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Health Network, fired LHN CMO Geoff Randolph, MD, Monday, according to wane.com.
Dr. Randolph's firing comes nearly two weeks after CHS fired the health network's CEO Brian Bauer.
Two other physicians also tendered their resignations, including Fort Wayne-based Lutheran Hospital CMO Matthew Sutter, MD. In his letter of resignation obtained by wane.com, Dr. Sutter said he "can no longer in good conscience serve as part of the leadership team" at the the hospital, according to the report.
"Over the past several weeks, I've watched with dismay the CHS response to Lutheran hospital. While initially, there were kind words and discussions of reconciliation, the tone has quickly turned to one of retaliation. CHS' personnel decisions including and following the firing of Brian Bauer appear designed to silence the legitimate concerns that many at Lutheran share about CHS’s leadership," Dr. Sutter wrote.
Tensions have steadily risen between the two groups after CHS rejected a $2.4 billion offer by LHN physicians to purchase the health network.