Acadia board supports CEO despite claims

In recent weeks, leadership at The Acadia Hospital has come under fire, following confirmation of an ongoing investigation into working conditions at the psychiatric facility by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

At the end of last week, John Bragg, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors, said the board supports embattled CEO David Proffitt, despite a deluge of concerns raised by current and former employees and unflattering revelations about Proffitt’s educational credentials and his leadership at his previous post.

At its regular meeting last Wednesday, the board went into executive session to discuss the situation, Bragg said Friday.

“We came out supporting Dr. Proffitt and the changes that are in place and the team he has put together,” he said.

Acknowledging the apparent turmoil and erosion of morale at Acadia, Bragg said the facility is under stress from a number of directions, including changes in Medicaid reimbursement, changes in mental health treatment approaches and the transition in leadership when Proffitt took over at Acadia two years ago.