Community Hospital Consulting, the management and consulting arm of Community Hospital Corporation has entered into an agreement that will have them manage Wahiawa General Hospital of Wahiawa, Hawaii after the two entered in an agreement.
CHC Consulting specializes in the management and operation of rural and community-based hospitals. The agreement was effective on Oct. 21.
CHC Consulting team members have already begun conducting an operational assessment and plan to make recommendations to their hospital board later this month.Wahiawa General Hospital has 53 acute care beds and a 107-bed long-term care facility. Founded in 1944 in response to the healthcare needs of the community following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the hospital today provides healthcare services to the communities of Central Oahu and the North Shore.
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R. Don Olden, Wahiawa General Hospital CEO, said in a statement that CHC was brought in for their expertise as the hospital has been "experiencing difficulties" over the past few years.
"CHC will help to develop an enhanced operating plan and sustainable operating model for our hospital, combined with improved quality and improved clinical services," he said.
With Olden planning to retire by the end of the year, CHC will be supplying interim executive leadership while beginning the search process for permanent executives. Doug Degraaf, a seasoned CEO who formerly helped oversee operations for CHC at Pineville Community Hospital in Pineville, Kentucky, will step in as interim CEO. Pamela Gallagher will join as interim CFO following her recent role as interim CFO at Union County General Hospital in Clayton, New Mexico, a hospital under CHC's management since 2014.
Twitter: @JELagasse