The Erlanger Board of Trustees on Thursday issued their support for CEO Dr. Will Jackson.
There was no opposition on a motion to issue a letter backing him.
Trustee John Germ said the letter was written in response to a recent opinion column in Chattanoogan.com.
Linda Mines, who heads the board, said board members spend many hours on Erlanger matters.
Several board members said Dr. Jackson had been brought into a difficult situation and had to make hard decisions due to the coronavirus.
Laura Bible read a letter of support from the Medical Auxiliary. It was signed by all 14 board members.
Here is the letter from the board:
As members of the Board of Trustees at Erlanger Health System, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to each employee, staff member, health care professional, nurse and physician during this most difficult of times. We understand the sacrifices being made to ensure the health, safety and wel1-being of our patients and to secure our long-tenn viability as the region's public hospital. We would also like to thank the members of our senior staff including, President and CEO, Dr. Will Jackson, who has exemplified strength, leadership and calm throughout this unusual time. Dr. Jackson has the credentials and the ability to guide Erlanger presently and into the future.
We understand that certain decisions made during these current unprecedented times will, no doubt, be subject to misgivings and misunderstandings by those who may not understand internal goings on. While some may be unhappy with such decisions as brought forth in the May 21, 2020, editorial in Chattanoogan.com, the public should rest assured that all actions were made in consideration of Erlanger's status as the region's only Level I trauma center and effected in an effort to ensure that Erlanger maintains its renowned stroke program. As a Board, we have been engaged and understand that Dr. Jackson's resolve to act in the best interest of the organization and his character in general are unmatched and unassailable. He is, in the face of multiple headwinds, changing expectations as well as the culture at Erlanger and, for that, must be commended.
We all are well aware of the very difficult decisions that have been and will have to be made and believe that these decisions are being made on Erlanger's behalf and Dr. Jackson is making these decisions with the Board of Trustees' full and complete support.
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Linda Moss Mines
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Sheila Boyington
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Gerald Webb, II
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Chair Board of Trustees
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Vice-Chair
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Secretary
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Dr. Steven Angle
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Dr. James P. Bolton
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Dr. R. Phillip Burns
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Trustee
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Trustee
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Trustee
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Jim L. Coleinan
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Ken Conner
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John F. Genn
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Trustee
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Trustee
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Trustee
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Vickie Gregg
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Jim F. Sattler
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Trustee
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Trustee
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Here is the letter from the auxilliary:
We are the Erlanger Auxiliary, and we fully support and stand behind Dr. Will Jackson and his leadership team.
We are a 14-member board of volunteers who all share our time and talents with Erlanger and this community that we love. We are retired teachers, nurses, business owners, pharmacists, corporate executives, community leaders.
We cuddle premature babies in the NICU, we take our pet therapy dogs to visit patients of all ages, we greet visitors at information desks, we operate the Gift Shop, we sit with dying patients as part of the No One Dies Alone program, we hand out refreshments to parents staying with their sick and injured kids, and so much more.
We do this because we love Erlanger, and we love this community. Many of us were born at Erlanger. Our kids were born at Erlanger. Our grandkids were born at Erlanger. We know Erlanger well, and we represent nearly 800 Erlanger volunteers who collectively serve more than 100,000 hours each year.
Many of us have volunteered at Erlanger for more than 20 years! We have been through many administrations, and we can say without hesitation that we have confidence in Dr. Jackson to effectively lead this essential health system.
We have been through wars and recessions, but we have never experienced anything like what our world is now facing. Dr. Jackson is smart, dedicated, compassionate, and always puts the overall needs of the health system and this community first. We have witnessed and benefited from his integrity, expertise, respect, and kindness. He leads staff with decisiveness and compassion. He is supportive, encouraging, and a true servant leader.
We are thankful for Erlanger Health System and for the leadership of Dr. Jackson, the leadership team, and the Board of Trustees, especially during these unimaginable times.
Respectfully yours,
Laura Bible, President
Mac Hedges, President-Elect
Vallerie Greer, VP, Baroness Campus
Robin McMahon, VP, Erlanger East
Frank Stobbe, Treasurer
Iona Jones, Secretary
Amelia Sullivan, Parliamentarian
Herb Cohn, Immediate Past President
Kathy Gervasi
Sylvia Hall
Barbara Haynes
Carolyn Henry
Toni Mola
Harry Sullivan