Victor Politi, MD, the CEO and president of East Meadow, N.Y. based-Nassau University Medical Center, was fired April 18 by the board that oversees the hospital, according to Newsday.
Editor's note: In the April 20 e-newsletter, the subject line mistakenly referred to this story as "NJ hospital board unanimously ousts CEO." Becker's regrets the error. The hospital in in New York.
NuHealth, the public benefit corporation who oversees the hospital, held a three-hour executive session and voted unanimously — 9 to 0 — to oust Dr. Politi.
The board voted earlier April 18 to restructure leadership at the hospital. While NuHealth board members did not disclose many details surrounding Dr. Politi's firing, it is clear their decision is part of the leadership restructuring.
Dr. Politi, who received an annual salary of $368,387, was immediately asked to hand over his keys, identification cards and electronic devices owned by NuHealth. According to NuHealth General Counsel Megan Ryan, the resolution does not include severance pay.
"What happened here tonight was a gross violation of due process," Ronald Rosenberg, Dr. Politi's attorney, told Newsday. "We are completely unaware of the basis for what took place today, and [Dr.] Politi was excluded from the room, so we have no idea whatsoever what this is all about."
In August, the board renewed Dr. Politi's contract through the end of 2019. Mr. Rosenberg believes the firing is a breach of this contract and said he will be looking into the right legal actions to take.
Prior to joining Nassau University Medical Center, Dr. Politi served as police commissioner and a deputy county executive. He also worked as an emergency department physician at NUMC.
The hospital's current CMO, Paul Pipia, MD, was elevated to the role of interim CEO and president of NUMC.