Another member of Nashville (Tenn.) General Hospital's board resigned June 7 — the fifth individual to depart within one month — over administrators' decision to extend hospital CEO Joseph Webb's, DSc, contract, according to The Tennessean.
In her resignation letter obtained by The Tennessean, Hospital Authority Board Member Fredia Outlaw cited "grave concerns" with the 11-seat board and its decision to extend Dr. Webb's contract.
"I believe in a focus on both process and outcomes in keeping with principals [sic] and practice that ensure integrity. ... I strongly believe that the current process of review and renew of Dr. Webb’s contract is seriously flawed," Ms. Outlaw wrote.
The Hospital Authority Board voted 5-1 to offer Dr. Webb a three-year contract during a May 31 meeting, as his current six-month contract was set to expire in June. The meeting was previously scheduled to take place June 11, but board members who supported Dr. Webb reportedly made the decision to vote two weeks early, before Dr. Webb's performance evaluation was completed and published, according to The Tennessean.
Dr. Webb's contract renewal came amid the resignations of four Hospital Authority Board members, which all occurred within the past month. After the vote, several city councilmen voiced their concerns about board procedures, noting the resignations and Dr. Webb's contract renewal together did not "seem like a coincidence," according to a previous report by The Tennessean.
Dr. Webb was hired as CEO of the hospital in 2015 to stabilize the facility. While Nashville General has struggled financially under his leadership, hospital officials and the Nashville mayor's office have said the facility has become more fiscally stable within the past month, the report states.
To access The Tennessean report, click here.