Rapid City, S.D.-based Regional Health CEO Brent R. Phillips received a vote of 'no confidence' from physicians at Rapid City Regional Hospital. In a health system statement, the board called the vote "disappointing" and noted their support for Mr. Phillips' leadership.
The vote, taken at a quarterly meeting, involved 142 physicians who voted 95 to 47 in favor of 'no confidence' in Mr. Phillips, according to a Rapid City Journal report.
The physicians cited a number of reasons for the vote, including high turnover, a breakdown of relations between the administration and staff as well as resource allocation disagreements. Additionally, Stephen Eckrich, MD, an orthopedic surgeon providing care at the hospital, told the Rapid City Journal that Mr. Phillips and the administrative team did not prioritize "improving mental health services and other programs."
The board has thrown its weight behind Mr. Phillips, however, stating "[Mr. Phillips] has implemented significant changes system wide that were at the direction of the board and are important to advancing our mission."
Mr. Phillips has served as CEO of the health system since 2015, prior to which he was president for Greater Milwaukee South at Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care.
In 2003, a 'no confidence' vote led then-president of Rapid City Regional to step down. However, Mr. Phillips said that the vote was "disappointing but not surprising" and he plans to continue as leader of the health system, according to the report.