The Board of Directors at Pratt Regional Medical Center on Friday announced the termination of CEO Darrell Lavender.
This after protests outside the hospital Thursday calling for Lavender’s removal. The group gathered to express support for local medical providers, claiming unfair treatment by Lavender. Treatment, many said, that may result in the loss of many local doctors and nurses if the situation was not addressed.
The Board of Directors said it plans to move on in the search for Lavender’s replacement, saying in a letter to hospital employees:
“After 25 years plus of administration under one CEO and that retirement, we hired a new CEO with a different perspective and style than his predecessor. Our current CEO was chosen after months of interviews with involvement of hospital and medical staff. Change is very difficult and this one was for so many,” the board explained adding that over the last six months, it met with PRMC doctors, administrators, staff and community members “to understand and work through tensions that arose during this transition.”
The board continued: “There has been much controversy, many rumors, and misunderstanding while the Board has worked through this process. We thank the community for your patience and understanding during this period. A decision has been made to move forward with the search for a new CEO. Mr. Lavender will be leaving PRMC, and an interim CEO will be named until a new CEO has been chosen.”
