The CEO of WhidbeyHealth in Coupeville, Wash., will get her bonus upon retirement in spite of considerable public comment on the matter, according to the South Whidbey Record.
WhidbeyHealth commissioners said April 8 that WhidbeyHealth CEO Geri Forbes will take home her annual incentive compensation. The president of the Whidbey Island Public Hospital District board of commissioners said the decision was based on Ms. Forbes' performance before her July 1 retirement date. She completed 80 percent of her 2018 goals, according to the report.
Under Ms. Forbes' contract, commissioners have to pay incentive compensation that equals up to 25 percent of her base salary, which was $390,000 last year. Board president Ron Wallin said due to significant public comment, the commissioners will not award the same type of compensation agreement in the next CEO's contract.
In March, the editorial board of a local newspaper called for more transparency into why Ms. Forbes is leaving her post. The editorial board also requested more information about the hospital's budget and facilities. At the time Ms. Forbes announced her retirement, the South Whidbey Record reported that WhidbeyHealth's commissioners were scrutinized after Ms. Forbes received a bonus despite a construction budget that was $3 million more than expected.
The board is in the process of calculating Ms. Forbes' bonus.