CALAIS, Maine — The newly selected CEO of Calais Regional Hospital said he wants to “make the right changes” when addressing its fiscal woes.
However, Rodney Boula, who earlier this month was named the hospital’s next CEO, said Wednesday he has not made any decisions and will not until after he takes over in February or March.
Boula is the CEO of two hospitals affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Network in New York state. He has served as CEO since 2004 of Elizabethtown Community Hospital, a 25-bed facility, and since 2014 of InterLakes Health, which includes a 15-bed critical access hospital plus skilled nursing, supervised living, apartments and a dental clinic.
Boula said he has done a lot of work with small, rural hospitals.
“I know the struggles and the challenges that they have,” he said.
Calais Regional Hospital’s struggles include an overpayment of $3.5 million from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2013 and 2014. In September, the 25-bed critical access hospital reached a deal through which it can repay the money in installments over 36 months rather than having to come up with a lump sum.
In April 2014, the hospital cut hours for 90 employees and laid off a handful of workers in an effort to rein in a deficit of more than $500,000 during the first two months of the fiscal year.
In July 2012, the hospital cut staff and froze salaries in order to address a deficit of more than $1 million for that calendar year.
Former CEO Michael Lally, who was at the helm for six years, resigned suddenly in June. Since then, Calais Regional Hospital has been under the direction of Bert Whittaker, interim CEO, who will stay on until Boula moves to Maine, according to hospital spokeswoman Dee Dee Travis.
Boula was selected after a national search by the Calais Regional Hospital board of directors and Quorum Health Resources, the hospital’s management company, according to a hospital press release.
“Rod brings a wealth of hospital experience and a great understanding of the everyday challenges faced by staff and providers. His leadership and knowledge will be valuable in continuing to move Calais Regional Hospital in a positive direction,” Everett Libby, the hospital’s board chair, said in the release. “We think he will be a great fit for the organization and the community and are anxiously awaiting his arrival early next year.”
The hospital would not divulge his salary, but the nonprofit’s 2013 990 Form filed with the IRS indicates the previous CEO was paid $237,310 that year, plus an estimated $27,026 in “estimated other compensation.”
Boula has been involved with and served in leadership roles with a variety of professional associations and has received numerous leadership awards.
Boula, who will move to Maine with his wife, Bernadette, said he sees a lot of potential in Calais Regional Hospital, its staff and its board. Though his age was not revealed, the press release indicated he has three grown children and eight grandchildren with another on the way.
“It seems to be a good fit for me. I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I can’t think of a better place to work and close out my career.”
Hospital officials said a public welcome reception will be scheduled once his arrival date is finalized.