Over 20 physicians at Morgantown, W.Va.-based Mon Health Medical Center have signed a letter of no confidence in president and CEO Darryl Duncan, according to WVNews.com.
The letter outlined several organizational issues, including the hiring of three cardiologists who have not been able to see patients due to previous commitments but have been paid full salaries. Two other cardiologists are leaving the hospital, and though the administration has known since December, patients were only informed Feb. 2. Many patients came in expecting to see their regular physician before being told they would have to meet with a new one.
"Duncan is interfering with the practice of medicine," said Andy Heiskell, MD, who helped write the letter of no confidence, according to WVNews.com. "I think he's detrimental to the patients. The patients are furious about it."
Physicians also expressed opposition to Mon Health's acquisition of Weston, W.Va.-based Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, which they say represents a departure from their organization's roots as a community hospital. However, Mr. Duncan said the move reflects the reality of contemporary healthcare.
"Change is hard, and we're going through change," said Mr. Duncan, according to WVNews.com. "Not every individual accepts changes as everyone would like, and that's hard."
The Mon Health System board of directors met Tuesday night, and though some of the letter's signers were in attendance, the issue was not raised during the public portion of the meeting.