Skiff interim CEO Francie Jahn resigns

In the wake of the announcement of a new CEO for Skiff Medical Center, the current interim CEO, Francie Jahn, has tendered her resignation.

Although Jahn was not present at the Skiff Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday morning, board member Debby Pence read a short statement from Jahn, in which she wished only the best for the hospital. Jahn had served as interim CEO since the resignation of Kris Baumgart at the end of January.

Steve Long has been hired as permanent CEO, and he will be taking his position at Skiff in mid-January of 2010. In the meantime, the board has appointed Brett Altman, the current director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Skiff, to step into that role.

“Brett will have authority over all the day-to-day operations at Skiff, with the exception of hiring and firing,” said Pence. Altman made a brief acceptance speech at the board meeting Wednesday.

“It’s going to take all of us working as a team to move us forward,” Altman said. “We just experienced the most tumultuous time in the 90-year history of Skiff. I ask for your support, and I think things are looking up.”

Pence also announced that notice has been given that the contracts with consultants B.E. Smith will be concluded by the end of the year.

B.E. Smith employees currently provide consulting on operations, as well as fill positions in finance, patient care services and human resources. Altman said that B.E. Smith employees will act primarily in an advisory capacity during their time left at Skiff.

Board member Lois Vogel said she hoped the conclusion of B.E. Smith employees’ contracts will help ease fears of outsiders making decisions about the hospital.

“Their presence here was justified, as they assisted us with actions that were difficult but necessary,” Vogel said in a press release Wednesday. “That being said, we are now ready to move forward out of this very sad and challenging time, stronger than ever.”

Pence said she believes the next few months will be a time of positive transition for the hospital.

“We all want to achieve healing and unity,” she said, “and I think the pieces are now in place for that to happen.”