Several weeks after announcing President and CEO David Feinberg, MD, would leave the institution for a position at Google, Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger has stayed mum on its process to find a permanent chief executive, The Danville News reports.
Here are four things to know:
1. Dr. Feinberg is leaving Geisinger Jan. 3 to head up Google's health business. The health system announced earlier in November that Jaewon Ryu, MD, would serve as interim president and CEO, effective Dec. 1. Dr. Ryu has served as executive vice president and CMO of the system since September 2016, according to the report.
2. A Geisinger spokesperson told The Danville News the system anticipates "more information on the CEO search in the coming months."
"In this time of transition, we are fortunate and excited to have a leader in Dr. Ryu to step in and continue leading Geisinger to provide excellent care and services to our patients, members and community," the spokesperson said.
3. However, some community officials have expressed unease over the length of the transition process. One county official told the publication that officials "understand a search for a position of that magnitude will take longer than the average position. We're just anxious to have a new chief executive."
"There's always a certain amount of uncertainty among employees and patients in a facility that size when you don't have a person in leadership. But we understand that it needs to be thorough to get the best person for the position," the official said.
4. Dr. Feinberg arrived at Geisinger in May 2015 after serving in several executive positions at UCLA Health System in Los Angeles. At Google, he will be responsible for defining a strategy to coordinate the company's move into the healthcare sector and to organize Google's fragmented health initiatives, the report states. Dr. Feinberg will stay on at the health system to help ensure a smooth transition.
To access the full report, click here.