After the former CEO of Jackson, Wyo.-based St. John's Health, Will Wagnon, resigned abruptly six months into his tenure,the hospital hired a public relations consultant whose firm specializes in crisis communication, the Jackson Hole News&Guide reported Oct. 20.
When Mr. Wagnon resigned July 26, no reason was given, and the departure still hasn't been fully explained. The News&Guide reported that the hospital hired a public relations specialist to fill gaps in communication after the departure.
"I wasn't damage control at all," Alexa Kinney, the hired consultant, said. She explained that the in-house chief information officer was away on vacation, which left a gap she could fill temporarily. She was hired by the board and paid for by the hospital with duties including assistance with the public relations plan and communications surrounding CEO resignation.
Her contract has now finished, reverting back to the chief information officer as a default for communications strategy.