EDITORIAL | New hospital CEO must back promises with action

Whidbey General Hospital has a new CEO-apparent, one who has talked about the importance of openness and transparency. We like the talk, but we hope to see the action behind the words. Geri Forbes will step into the lead role at the public hospital in April, if the Whidbey General board of directors has its way. Forbes is currently the CEO of Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in Perry, Fla. She chaired the Rural Health Council, was involved in the Florida Rural Health Association and chaired the Government Affairs Committee for the Florida Regional Hospital Association. Meanwhile, the hospital board’s president, Anne Tarrant, scolded a reporter this week for being audacious enough to ask about the details of Forbes’ hiring and her proposed contract. Considering that the hospital CEO has quite possibly been the highest-paid public employee on Whidbey Island, if not Island County, questions about details of the contract seem quite reasonable. The hospital was also unresponsive to questions about the specifics of Tomasino’s departure — his resignation was to become effective in October 2015. Will he be receiving pay through that date? Is there a severance deal for Tomasino? We don’t know. The hospital doesn’t want to talk to us about it. “Transparency means to me to keep people informed, within the limits of what you can keep them informed on. It’s letting them know where the organization is going, speaking plainly about your issues and concerns,” Forbes said during the hospital’s interview luncheon on Jan. 16.

February 13, 2015 5:47 pm

Whidbey General Hospital has a new CEO-apparent, one who has talked about the importance of openness and transparency.

We like the talk, but we hope to see the action behind the words.

Geri Forbes will step into the lead role at the public hospital in April, if the Whidbey General board of directors has its way.

Forbes is currently the CEO of Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in Perry, Fla. She chaired the Rural Health Council, was involved in the Florida Rural Health Association and chaired the Government Affairs Committee for the Florida Regional Hospital Association.

Meanwhile, the hospital board’s president, Anne Tarrant, scolded a reporter this week for being audacious enough to ask about the details of Forbes’ hiring and her proposed contract.

Considering that the hospital CEO has quite possibly been the highest-paid public employee on Whidbey Island, if not Island County, questions about details of the contract seem quite reasonable.

The hospital was also unresponsive to questions about the specifics of Tomasino’s departure — his resignation was to become effective in October 2015. Will he be receiving pay through that date? Is there a severance deal for Tomasino?

We don’t know. The hospital doesn’t want to talk to us about it.

“Transparency means to me to keep people informed, within the limits of what you can keep them informed on. It’s letting them know where the organization is going, speaking plainly about your issues and concerns,” Forbes said during the hospital’s interview luncheon on Jan. 16.

Sometimes the level of transparency a hospital has is hampered by patient confidentiality laws, she added.

We take that to mean any medical information cannot be disclosed.

A public employee’s contract doesn’t fall under that umbrella. That’s because Whidbey General Hospital’s CEO works for you, the taxpayers.

As the employer, there is every expectation of transparency, not just talk.

We are looking forward to having a hospital administration serious about transparency and openness.

That change couldn’t come soon enough.