Vermont Gov. Phil Scott appointed Tom Huebner, former CEO of Rutland (Vt.) Regional Medical Center, to evaluate Springfield (Vt.) Hospital and advise its leaders about its serious financial difficulties, according to VT Digger.
Springfield's CEO Tim Ford resigned in early December in the wake of news that the hospital was in such dire financial straits that it was leaving bills unpaid, and in some cases, physicians were buying their own supplies.
Mr. Huebner served as CEO of Rutland Regional for 20 years.
"This is a very serious situation that requires immediate attention, experienced leadership, the oversight and collaboration of state government, and a competent and fully transparent response," the Vermont governor said. "[Mr. Huebner] will work with officials in Springfield and ensure that they complete a thorough assessment and communicate fully, clearly and regularly to patients, employees, the community and the state as they determine what went wrong and how to fix it."
Rutland Regional has already contracted consulting firm Quorum Health, which Mr. Huebner views as an essential first step to correcting its financial situation.
"They have done a smart thing in hiring Quorum Health to bring in the resources to do a deep dive and evaluate the situation," said Mr. Huebner. "Everybody wants the organization to survive, and uncertainty is not helpful to anybody in this situation."