Kettering (Ohio) Health Chief Administrative Officer Michael Mewhirter, who also has served as interim CEO, CFO and, at the campus level, as president and in financial leadership roles, is leaving the organization next year, the health system confirmed in a statement shared with Becker's on Dec. 5.
Mr. Mewhirter "will be making a transition and leaving Kettering Health on April 1 to pursue other opportunities outside of the organization," the statement said.
"We are thankful for his numerous contributions to the system during his nearly nine years of service, especially his efforts and diligence as interim CEO, which aided in maintaining focus on our mission during our leadership transition."
Mr. Mewhirter was appointed interim CEO in November 2022 after Fred Manchur — who served as CEO of Kettering Health for more than a decade — announced he would take a leave of absence before retiring in December 2022. Michael Gentry currently oversees Kettering Health as its CEO. Mr. Mewhirter took the role of chief administrative officer in July.
An internal investigation ordered by Kettering Health into allegations of financial misconduct confirmed inappropriate use of funds — and the health system is seeking repayment.
In 2021, anonymous complaints were filed with the Ohio attorney general's office alleging abuse of charitable funds by Mr. Manchur and Dave Weigley, its former board chair. Mr. Weigley is still president of Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, which sponsors the health system.
Mr. Weigley left the board in January. Wally Sackett, president of Kettering Health, and Kettering Health Chief Administrative Officer Terry Burns also left the system last year.
In November, Kettering Health announced that its internal investigation concluded and that individuals implicated in the investigation are no longer with the health system.
"The findings of this investigation revealed financial impropriety related to the use of organizational funds for non-business purposes," Kettering Health said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Kettering Health will be seeking repayment of these funds from the individuals involved and sharing information related to our investigation with the appropriate authorities."
The organization also said it has "made significant changes to policies, procedures and governance to ensure this type of behavior will not occur in the future."
Mr. Mewhirter's departure comes after a series of leadership changes Kettering Health made in summer 2023. Read more about those changes here.