Former Cleveland MetroHealth CFO still receiving salary

Sharon Kelley resigned as CFO for the MetroHealth System in June to work as a consultant to the taxpayer-subsidized hospital, but she remains on its payroll with full pay and benefits guaranteed for up to one year. The hospital system will continue to pay Kelley a $440,000-a-year salary for six months, plus up to another six months if Kelley has not found another job in that time, according to an agreement obtained by The Plain Dealer through a public-records request. During the period, MetroHealth will continue her health, dental, vision and life insurance, her vacation pay and contributions to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. MetroHealth also agreed to pay Kelley $6,000 in lieu of outplacement services. Kelley, in turn, is required to keep the deal confidential. MetroHealth said the value of Kelley's salary and benefits would be $517,878 for a full year. Two Republican members of the Cuyahoga County Council are questioning the cost of the agreement at a time when hospital chief Mark Moran has outlined to the council financial challenges facing the system, including declines in patient stays.