The town-owned hospital's top executive resigned suddenly this week as the facility's leaders have been looking to privatize or partner with another facility.
An interim chief executive officer took over Massena Memorial Hospital in upstate New York on Thursday after the sudden resignation of her predecessor.
Ann Gilpin was hired to replace former CEO Robert G. Wolleben, who tendered his immediate resignation on Monday, as the Watertown Daily Times reported.
Officials who oversee the town-owned hospital say plans to transfer the municipal facility to private owners, or partner with another organization, will move forward without Wolleben.
"We will continue to stay on course to privatize the hospital, preserve jobs and continue to have this hospital serve the residents of Massena," Town Supervisor Steven D. O'Shaughnessy said in a statement earlier this week, as the Daily Times reported.
"We were incredibly fortunate to find Ann on short notice and are thrilled we have the opportunity to work with her as the interim superintendent," O'Shaughnessy added.
O’Shaughnessy reportedly said town officials met with Wolleben behind closed doors on Monday because Wolleben had "indicated a desire to resign." The Daily Times reported that the stated rationale for the closed-door meeting appeared to be insufficient under New York's Open Meetings Law.
Gilpin—who served previously as president and CEO of Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, New York, then Oswego Health System in Oswego, New York—is expected to work just two months in her interim capacity at Massena Memorial.
The town and hospital have been in discussions with a number of other healthcare organizations, including Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam, New York, about a possible affiliation agreement, as NorthCountry Now 1 reported.
Steven Porter is an associate content manager and Strategy editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.