Eureka Springs (Ark.) Hospital's former CEO is speaking out following her termination Nov. 1.
The hospital commission voted unanimously Nov. 1 to terminate Angie Shaw. Ms. Shaw joined the hospital 17 years ago as a certified nursing assistant and served in several roles before being appointed as CEO in March 2021. The commission has appointed Jodi Edmondson, Eureka Springs' human resources director, as acting CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement.
In a Nov. 17 interview with the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Ms. Shaw said her firing came after several staff members brought harassment complaints to her surrounding Eureka Springs' chief financial officer, Cynthia Asbury, which she then shared with the commission. As of Nov. 20, Ms. Shaw told Becker's she has not received a reasoning for her termination.
In the days following Ms. Shaw's termination, the commission voted unanimously to terminate the director of nursing, Jessica Petrino. The commission also voted to place the CFO, Ms. Asbury, on a 60-day performance improvement plan.
Other leaders at the hospital have reportedly left their jobs following the CEO and nursing director's termination, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The hospital's lab director told the news outlet she and the hospital's emergency department manager have since submitted their own resignation notices.
Eureka Springs Hospital has not responded to Becker's request for comment. Kent Turner, chair of the hospital commission, told the Democrat Gazette that the board "does not comment on personnel issues," declining to comment further.
During a Nov. 11 Eureka Springs City Council meeting, several former hospital employees reportedly called for the removal of Ms. Asbury, Mr. Turner, and several other leaders, including Ms. Edmonson.
According to text messages obtained by the Eureka Springs Times-Echo through a Freedom of Information Act request, Mr. Turner and commissioner Barbara Dicks exchanged messages surrounding Ms. Shaw's employment several months before she was terminated. Arkansas state law prohibits commissioners from discussing business matters outside meetings of the full commission.