yours truly |
Check this out. During a hospital tour in the mid-80's the Communications manager inadvertently showed me the commissioner's concealed public chambers. She was immediately fired. Suspicious, I began reporting on their meetings (photography and videotaping is forbidden.) A few Public Record Requests were filed.
One Public Record Request shockingly revealed an executive/pediatrician's salary of $600,000 and other misfeasance (1988.) It's unknown how long the commissioners paid him to participate in hospital governance. CEO Brown, a likeable fellow abruptly resigned, saying goodbye to all employees by email and flew off to Pennsylvania.
With that, the commissioners then hired Bob Malte from Colorado Springs as CEO. Bob is genuine and a real pro. Mr. Malte reshuffled personnel and re-branded Evergreen to "EvergreenHealth." The hospital began winning regional and national awards under Malte's helm.
It's well known, one in five Americans have a mental health condition in a given year; and only half are treated. Under the Malte Administration, EvergreenHealth developed a new mental health service (I think required by law.) but the bursting EvergreenHealth community still doesn't have an out-patient psychiatric clinic, employ a full-time psychiatrist or provide an behavioral health urgent care.With Malte's departure, Jeff Tomlin, MD took over as CEO. He practiced anesthesia for years at EvergreenHealth and was a military officer. CEO Tomlin took a national leadership role when the pandemic struck in 2020. He steered EvergreenHealth through some pretty tough waters; we are ever so grateful.
Sadly, the thrust for an "Outpatient Urgent Care Behavioral Health Clinic" lost momentum. Dr. Tomlin took Mental Health off the 10-year facilities plan, despite the explosive incidence of mental health conditions uncovered by COVID. -- Bob Yoder, 7/26/2022