The Colorado Springs city council went through with its ultimatum, removing eight board members from the city-owned Memorial Health System who refused to resign in the wake of the board's decision to award outgoing Memorial CEO Larry McEvoy, MD, a severance package worth $1.15 million, according to a Colorado Springs Gazette report.
Yesterday, the city council demanded most of Memorial's 11-person board step down or face dismissal. Before yesterday's deadline, only one board member voluntarily resigned, while one resigned Monday unrelated to the severance pay issue. One board member who voted against Dr. McEvoy's severance package was allowed to stay on the board.
Board Chair James Moore and the other seven members who would not resign issued a statement, saying "to step down voluntarily is to concede that politics is more important than doing the right thing or making tough decisions," according to the report.
Last week, the board approved the $1.15 million severance package for Dr. McEvoy. The board members defended that decision in their statement: "Despite the public outcry over our latest decision, we remain convinced it was fair and appropriate. The gross mischaracterizations at the heart of this outcry are saddening, for history of this event will be written in a way that does not reflect reality."
Yesterday, the city council demanded most of Memorial's 11-person board step down or face dismissal. Before yesterday's deadline, only one board member voluntarily resigned, while one resigned Monday unrelated to the severance pay issue. One board member who voted against Dr. McEvoy's severance package was allowed to stay on the board.
Board Chair James Moore and the other seven members who would not resign issued a statement, saying "to step down voluntarily is to concede that politics is more important than doing the right thing or making tough decisions," according to the report.
Last week, the board approved the $1.15 million severance package for Dr. McEvoy. The board members defended that decision in their statement: "Despite the public outcry over our latest decision, we remain convinced it was fair and appropriate. The gross mischaracterizations at the heart of this outcry are saddening, for history of this event will be written in a way that does not reflect reality."
More Articles on Memorial Health System:
Resign or be Ousted: Colorado Springs' Ultimatum to Memorial Health Board
CEO Dr. Larry McEvoy Leaves Memorial Health System
Councilman Calls for Probe of Memorial Health in Colorado