Physicians at CHI St. Alexius Williston (N.D.) Medical Center have joined colleagues at CHI St. Alexius Bismarck (N.D.) Medical Center in calls for a leadership shakeup in CHI's Fargo Division, according to The Bismarck Tribune.
Thirteen physicians on the medical executive committee at the Bismarck hospital threatened to resign unless CHI Fargo leaders stepped down. The letter alleged poor leadership was leading to declining physician engagement and lower care quality.
Physicians at the Williston hospital sent a letter to the CHI St. Alexius Health Board May 14 saying they understood the Bismarck physicians' frustration.
"We have routinely identified issues with the Fargo Division Administrative team that contradict the Living Our Mission Measures, including some of those mentioned in the Bismarck letter.We have attempted to address these through traditional channels in the organization with the same exhaustion," the Williston physicians wrote, according to The Bismarck Tribune. "We also understand the requested changes will not resolve all of the issues that face the region, but the current division leadership has failed and declines to engage in improvement efforts."
Officials from CHI St. Alexius Health say they are in talks with the dissenting parties, though they did not announce any leadership changes within the Fargo Division. They also emphasized that the letters of complaint have not interrupted care delivery at either the Bismarck or Williston hospitals.
"We understand the importance of dialogue among CHI leadership and CHI St. Alexius Health system, and we're committed to continuing this dialogue while working together to provide quality care to our patients," a spokesperson for CHI St. Alexius Health wrote in an email to Becker's. "CHI Fargo Division leadership has already begun meeting with providers today at CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Medical Center and will meet with other providers within the CHI St. Alexius system in the coming weeks."