Columbus-based Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center CEO Sheldon Retchin, MD, has resigned, following complaints about his leadership from the faculty. He is also stepping down from his position as executive vice president of health sciences at the medical center.
Twenty-five Columbus-based Ohio State University College of Medicine physicians and professors signed a letter of "no confidence" in Dr. Retchin and his executive team at the beginning of May. The letter notes that 100 faculty members from the college of medicine express the same sentiments as the letter; however, not all signed it due to fear of retaliation.
Soon after, five senior members of the medical center's neurological institute also penned a letter detailing concerns about the leadership team.
The two letters include a number of complaints. They both allege that Dr. Retchin and his executives are unsupportive of physicians, leading to low morale among staff members and loss of talented physicians. Additionally, one letter contends that Dr. Retchin's leadership strategies are driving a wedge between the medical center and the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Michael Caligiuri, MD, serves as leader. Ultimately, Dr. Retchin's leadership is hurting the academic mission of the hospital and medical college, the physicians wrote, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
In a statement issued by Ohio State University, officials thank Dr. Retchin for his work at the medical center and note some of his accomplishments, including the opening of the Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute. The statement also addresses the letters.
"Although allegations raised in letters sent to the news media this week were untrue, these letters may have damaged important relationships necessary for continued future success, and Dr. Retchin has chosen to move on in the best interests of the university, himself and his family," the statement reads.
Dr. Retchin also issued a statement via the university, where he states that the allegations in the letter are not true. "These baseless accusations have damaged me and the University I love. I cannot allow this to continue and so I have decided that it is in the best interest of the institution and me and my family to step aside, effective immediately."