Asheville News

Magazine: Mission on the mend

Jason Sandford March 27, 2010

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Business North Carolina magazine has a story out recapping events last year that led to the resignation of Mission Hospitals CEO Joe Damore.

From the magazine:

Running a hospital is a balancing act: Doctors and other medical professionals try to keep patients healthy, while administrators must monitor the hospital’s vital signs. Asheville-based Mission Hospital and Health System is trying to regain its equilibrium as the five-year tenure of CEO Joe Damore comes to a close.

His resignation, effective Jan. 31, came after months of rising anger among staff physicians and those who send patients to Mission Hospital. Many accused him of heavy-handed management. Damore declined comment through a hospital spokeswoman, but doctors haven’t been shy about airing their views. In August, about 150 signed a letter to the hospital board complaining of “control and domination“ and bullying by administrators. “That led to some obvious conflicts that created a lot of stress and tension that sometimes got out of hand,” says Alan Baumgarten, chief of the hospital’s medical staff and a family physician at Asheville Family Health Center.

…

Now, board members need to find a replacement who can mend the painful fractures while positioning the system for health-care reform. They’ve hired a search firm and are likely to appoint an interim administrator in the six months it might take to find the right person. “Hopefully, there’s a spot where the two can come together — financial responsibility and excellence of care,” Chairman George Renfro says.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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4 Comments

More than willing.. April 5, 2010

Time to find a great lawyer with enought guts to take on this bullying institution!
Enough is enough folks. In fact its time to put together all of these posts and the other evidence and take it really public! We have enough facts, and evidence to stop these bully’s so lets take action! I say we go to a news station in Charlotte…..they would love to hear about the way that Mission Hospital is treating the employees. Upstate SC too!

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anon April 2, 2010

Dismayed No Longer…. I read your posts all through the Mission fiasco last year. You always nail it on the head! I have to laugh though, and suggest you change your name to Dismayed Some of the Time!! You try and try not to be dismayed, and be a half glass full creature, but you always have a appropriate dose of healthy skepticism. I really admire your creative mixture of positivity and constructive criticisms. Thank you for bringing a unique voice to the table, I really enjoy your posts!

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Dismayed No Longer April 1, 2010

Somehow, magically, the penalties imposed on Mission have been lifted. It appears that the Workers Comp payment that Mission tried to avoid through lies and fraud will still have to be paid and apparently that is sufficient PENALTY.

Mission has abused its employees for the past 4-5 years and this most recent ruling demonstrates that the employees have no recourse at Mission itself or at the state level.

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Dismayed No Longer March 30, 2010

Glad to see this update on Mission. From all accounts I’ve heard, there is a faint glimmer of hope but the misery rolls on as far as the staff are concerned. Things might be better for the docs; I have no information about improvements on their front or their satisfaction level.

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