Following an unexpected contract renewal for Nashville (Tenn.) General Hospital CEO Joseph Webb, city council members are voicing concern about hospital board procedures, according to local newspaper The Tennessean.
Council members Freddie O'Connell and Bob Mendes spoke with the newspaper, noting the CEO's three-year contract renewal, which was approved without terms, came amid three board resignations from an 11-member board. Together, the events don't "seem like a coincidence," Mr. Mendes said.
The board voted 5-to-1 to approve a contract extension for Mr. Webb on May 31. Two members were absent, two members had recently resigned and the chairwoman abstained from the vote and resigned at the end of the meeting, according to the report. The board originally planned to discuss Mr. Webb's performance and contract June 11.
The extension was approved without terms on pay, benefits or duties, or a complete performance evaluation. The board began a performance evaluation in 2016, but it was never completed or made public, according to the report. Board members who supported Mr. Webb's contract extension felt his performance spoke for itself.
Mr. Webb has led the safety net since 2015 and weathered significant financial challenges during his tenure. Last year, an audit showed hospital management was not properly overseeing transactions or hospital accounts and the mayor of Nashville considered ending inpatient care. Ultimately, the city voted to give Nashville General more than $17 million in emergency funds to stay afloat. The most recent financial report from the hospital shows significant improvements over the past two months, according to the report.
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