Hospital administrator placed on leave

Published on March 11th, 2010

By JOY LANDALUCE

CEO of the Cordova Community Medical Center Dave Bryant was placed on 30 days of administrative leave Friday.

A special meeting was held by the Health Services Board at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the hospital meeting room. Board president Kristin Smith opened the meeting with news that Bryant had been placed on leave. A review of Bryant's contract will be addressed at the Cordova Regular Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. on March 17.

Bryant is uncertain why he has been placed on administrative leave.

"It seems odd to be placed on administrative leave when the hospital is breaking even," he said.

Bryant said that since he came on board in March 2006 gross revenue has increased by $2.5 million. The long-term care facility has increased its rating from two stars to four stars according to a federal government standard for quality of care, Bryant said.

"I look forward to addressing the issues and concerns of the council at the regular council meeting on March 17," he said.

Karen Kelley, the clinic manager from the Ilanka Community Health Center, will cover the Community Medical Center CEO position while Bryant is on leave. Kelly said her goal is to keep the hospital open and clinics running smoothly.

"I will have an open door policy during this time. I will listen to staff and move forward toward good health care for the city of Cordova," she said.

A memorandum of understanding has been established between the Cordova Community Medical Center and the Native Village of Eyak. In this agreement, there is a mission statement to seek opportunities to work together and to share resources for health programs in Cordova. The memorandum also states that the parties agree to work together to improve health care in Cordova.

"The overall goal of the parties is to seek opportunities to maximize benefits and services, share resources, increase efficiencies and minimize costs for health services in Cordova," states the memorandum.

Also noted is the mission to not duplicate operating and administrative costs. There will be a compensation for services under this agreement of $10,416.70 payable to the Native Village of Eyak upon receipt of an NVE monthly invoice.

During audience comments at the meeting last Saturday, Dr. Charles Ellis told the Health Services Board that he could not be involved in this process.

"I resign," he said. "You are engineering a disaster on the level of the sinking of the Titanic. I do not want to be on board when you hit the iceberg. I am not going to be associated with this and the residents are going to suffer."

Registered nurse Heather Gora disagreed with the abandon-ship sentiments.

"We can't just desert the hospital and our patients," Gora said. "Dr. Ellis, your patients love and need you here. We need to come together as a community - before everyone jumps on the train out of town."

Corrine Erickson spoke up as a 42-year resident of Cordova.

"I would like to see things come together for the hospital. We need to pull together - we have different ideas - but I care and I will fight for the great medical care that this community deserves," Erickson said. "My heart is broken."