New CEO in the cards for Haywood Regional
The CEO of Haywood Regional Medical Center stepped down suddenly last week, effective immediately.
Philip Wright had been at the helm of Haywood Regional since January of last year following its purchase by Duke LifePoint HealthCare.
HRMC has had a streak of short-timers serving in the CEO role over the past 8 years. The new interim will mark the sixth CEO since 2008 — including three interims and three full-time CEOs.
The average tenure of a hospital CEO is five years, according to the American College of Healthcare Executives. While the average tenure of CEOs at Haywood Regional has clocked in at less than two years, that’s due in large part to the shifting management and ownership structure of the hospital that’s been in flux since 2008 as it gradually gave up its status as an independent locally-owned hospital.
With Haywood Regional’s future now secure as a Duke LifePoint Hospital, Wright was expected to end the revolving door for a while. Haywood Regional was going to be his last stop on the hospital CEO circuit, as he and his wife planned to put down roots in the community and ultimately retire here when his time at Haywood Regional was up. During his 16-month stint, Wright was actively involved in the civic and business community and was well-liked by local leaders.
The hospital has made significant strides since Duke LifePoint purchased it in the summer of 2014.
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“Census has increased and outpatient services have definitely increased since Duke Life Point took over,” said Mark Clasby, a member of advisory board for the hospital. “They have also been fantastic in making capital improvements and that will continue.”
An interim CEO has been named for the short-term.
Harold Siglar, a healthcare executive of more than 30 years, is part of the Duke LifePoint executive team. He most recently served as interim CEO at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, N.C., where he oversaw the transition of that hospital following its purchase by Duke LifePoint Healthcare.
“We are confident he will do an exemplary job guiding the hospital through this important leadership transition,” Jamie Carter, chief operating officer for the Eastern Group of LifePoint Health, said in a written statement.
