The Indian Health Service, an operating division within HHS, is replacing four top health officials at a Winnebago, Neb.-based hospital, according to a Sioux City Journal report, which cites a letter sent Tuesday to the Winnebago and Omaha (Neb.) tribes.
Here are six things to know about the leadership shakeup.
1. The government agency is replacing the hospital's CEO, nursing director, clinical director and administrative officer with interim employees until permanent replacements are found.
2. Shelly Harris will serve as acting hospital CEO, replacing current CEO Randy Jordan. Ms. Harris currently serves as CEO of Quentin Burdick Memorial Hospital in Belcourt, North Dakota, and is acting area deputy director of field operations for IHS in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
3. Ahmed Mohammad, MD, will be acting clinical director, according to the letter sent to the tribes. Dr. Mohammad is a physician at the Winnebago hospital, according to the report, which cites IHS records.
4. The letter sent to the tribes did not indicate who would serve as acting nursing director or administrative officer, nor did it indicate whether the previous hospital officials will remain with IHS, the Sioux City Journal notes.
5. The Winnebago and Omaha tribes, both of which are served by the hospital, are expected to meet with IHS during the week of Sept. 14.
6. Winnebago Tribal Council Chairwoman Darla LaPointe said in a statement that the IHS action came in response to demands that the tribe has made. Those demands included the resignation of a number of top officials at the hospital, which lost its Medicare and Medicaid funding last month after deficiencies were found. "We feel very strongly these actions are in the best interest for the safety of our people," Chairwoman LaPointe said in the statement. "However, the Winnebago Tribe will continue to hold IHS to its word. Working with the Omaha Tribe, we intend to closely monitor the corrective actions IHS undertakes."
More articles on healthcare leaders:
24 latest hospital, health system executive moves
Morehouse General Hospital CEO resigns as hospital seeks partner: 3 things to know
Pecos County Memorial Hospital CEO to resign: 3 things to know