Memorial Health CEO defends $1M severance pay package

In his final days as CEO of Memorial Health System, Dr. Larry McEvoy said he's focused more on thanking the hospital's 4,000 employees for their hard work and less on the furor that details of his $1.15 million departure package has caused. He said stepping aside was in the best interest of the city-owned hospital as the city negotiates to lease Memorial to University of Colorado Health. Despite that, the 18 months' severance that McEvoy will receive, along with perks like keeping his company car, a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, and $20,000 in job placement assistance, has drawn condemnations from the mayor and some City Council members, and also internal criticism.