CALAIS, Maine — The chief executive officer of Calais Regional Hospital has resigned.
“After much thought and discussion, and with mutual agreement of the board of directors, I feel it is appropriate to pursue other opportunities, both personally and professionally,” Michael Lally said in a prepared statement released Tuesday by spokeswoman DeeDee Travis.
The resignation became effective the same day.
Lally could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.
Quorum Health Resources, which provides management services at the 25-bed critical access hospital, will assist the hospital board in conducting a national search for a permanent CEO, a process that will take several months.
In the meantime, Quorum has hired Bert Whitaker to take over the reins as interim CEO, effective June 24, the statement says.
“Whitaker has had 35 years experience in hospital administration and most recently served as interim president and CEO of Northern Hospital of Surry County in North Carolina. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives,” the statement says.
Lally has served as CEO for the past six years during which time the facility received recognition from Leapfrog Group, a hospital watchdog organization, for three years in a row for superior rural hospital service quality and patient safety, according to the statement.
“[Lally] has made significant contributions to Calais Regional Hospital in recruiting and service expansion,” said Everett Libbey, chairman of the hospital board, in the statement. “The board appreciates [Lally’s] efforts to improve [health care] in our hospital and communities we serve. We will continue to implement the clinical, operational and financial improvement initiatives currently underway at the hospital and within our provider practices.”
During his tenure, Lally made some difficult and even unpopular decisions such as reducing hours for 90 employees and laying off a handful of workers as part of an effort to rein in a deficit of more than $500,000 in the first two months of the 2014 fiscal year.
In 2012, the hospital eliminated 13 positions in an attempt to offset a $1 million loss during the first five months of the year.