Following a called meeting of the Hutcheson Medical Center board of directors on Monday, Chairman Martha Attaway announced that HMC President/CEO, Charles Stewart, and VP of Operations/Interim CFO, Gerald Faircloth, had tendered their resignations, effective immediately.
The resignations were accepted by the board, as well as plans for successors to Mr. Stewart and Mr. Faircloth. Mr. Stewart has resigned to pursue other opportunities.
Officials said, "The board of Hutcheson Medical Center appreciates the service of Charles Stewart and Gerald Faircloth. During their tenure, the hospital made advancements in quality, achieved high levels of patient satisfaction as well as added new service lines. The hospital had been operating at a loss for several years prior to Mr. Stewart’s arrival."
Mr. Stewart said, “I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with the Hutcheson Medical Center Board of Directors and the support they have shown me during my tenure. I feel the organization is facing a time where new leadership is needed.”
HMC’s Chief Nursing Officer, Debbie Reeves, accepted the board’s offer to serve as the system’s interim CEO while plans are being finalized for future leadership roles. During the leadership transition period, Ms. Reeves "will have strong support and assistance from the Community Hospital Corporation (CHC), of Plano, Tex., it was stated. CHC was engaged by HMC last year "to help navigate through a series of significant changes to the system that would ensure the future of quality, community-based health care to North Georgia residents."
Hutcheson has been facing mounting financial losses.
Erlanger Medical Center recently announced an agreement to help manage Hutcheson. Memorial Hospital had also competed for the pact.
Chairman Attaway said, “The board’s foremost concern for HMC is to provide quality care for our patients, while producing a stable environment for our employees to do their work. We believe the actions that have been taking place over the past several months will enable us to fully address those concerns.
“We know we have a tough road ahead, but we have every confidence that our system can be returned to its rightful place in the eyes of our community - a health system that is respected, vibrant and progressive.
“I deeply appreciate the diligence of our boards, elected officials, and particularly our employees, and ask for their continued support and patience in the days to come.”