Wanted: CEO for Mission Medical Associates

Here's the job posting, from the executive search firm of Witt/Kieffer:

Job Description

Mission Health System - Mission Medical Associates

Chief Executive Officer

Asheville, NC 

Mission Health System based in Asheville, North Carolina has retained Witt/Kieffer to assist in the recruitment efforts for a Chief Executive Officer of its affiliate Mission Medical Associates.

Mission Health System ("MHS") is a 730-bed not-for-profit regional tertiary referral center for western North Carolina and parts of several adjoining states. A JCAHO accredited, not-for-profit, independent community hospital system based in Asheville, Mission is located on two adjoining hospital campuses, Memorial and St. Joseph. Two other hospitals are also members of Mission - Spruce Pine Community Hospital in Mitchell County and The McDowell Hospital in Marion. Mission provides nearly all medical and surgical services, and manages the regions Level II Trauma Center and many of the regions EMS transport services as well as the helicopter service. Mission operates under a Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) issued by the State of North Carolina which is designed to ensure that its charges are fair and it provides documented benefit to the community. The COPA provides for several conditions of operation including cost savings, cost per adjusted discharge requirements and constraints on the operating margin of the combined entity.

MHS through its affiliate Mission Medical Associates ("MMA") operates an employed physician organization key to the current and future success and viability of the system's healthcare mission. Reporting directly to the Mission Health System SVP/Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of MMA will be responsible for providing a clear sense of strategic direction while implementing the vision for MMA. The position will ensure the operating infrastructure of MMA supports the organization's goals to provide efficient and seamless operations, promoting integration and quality between MMA and MHS. 

This position requires a seasoned, decisive leader with strong business acumen in medical management leading a complex multi-specialty mix of physicians providing excellence in clinical care and customer service. Essential to the success of this position will be the ability to recruit physicians, negotiate complex business relationships, maintain strong relations with the medical community, represent the integrated physicians as an advocate and diplomat, while bringing both strategic and metrics-driven operational expertise and management to MMA and MHS.

Successful candidates must either have graduated from an accredited medical school with an MD or DO Degree; or, have a graduate degree in health administration, business, finance or a related field. Completion of the Physician in Management series of the American College of Physician Executives is also desirable. The CEO will have an outstanding record of achievement with significant management experience in healthcare and at least five years of senior management experience gained within a multispecialty group practice. Previous experience in physician billing and reimbursement is expected.

Resumes and referrals should be sent to Andrew Chastain or Werner Boel, the executive search consultants supporting Mission Health System in this search, at MissionCEO@wittkeiffer.com. Materials that cannot be submitted electronically should be forwarded to Mission Health System - CEO Witt/Kieffer 3414 Peachtree Road, Suite 352, Atlanta, GA 30326. 

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Comments

[Miss Daisy]

So crazy that they are doing this. The idea of hospitals having physician networks was to lock in referrals. Um, there are no competitors here for referrals. It's an idea that has been tried and failed all over the country.

[MSR]

Actually, it is not crazy at all. Many of these physicians WOULD NOT BE HERE if they were not employed by the hospital. This is why there are no competitors. Grouping them under a corporation separate from the hospital provides numerous benefits.

[ERUOK?]

Does MSR stand for Mission Spin Rep? Typical admin speak. The physicians are fortunate to work at Mission. In actuality, the opposite is true - there would be no Mission if not for the doctors. Joe and Brian are already shadow governing the MMA. Just another entity that they will control.

[Miss Daisy]

Yeah. Because this area is so undesirable. I can see that.

[Dismayed]

Is MSR the same person who thinks MMH was failing inspections because of a small issue like the height of a wall on a parking deck? I got a chuckle out of that one.

Which physicians, exactly, would not be here if they could not be employees of Mission Hospital? ACA? The neurosurgeons? The pathologists? The cardiodthoracic group? The radiology group? Internists and family practice physicians? Maybe the orthopedic surgeons? I believe these practices existed and did very well indeed pre-Damore. MSR's argument is hollow.

More and more dismayed.

[Waiting.......]

When will they post "NEW CEO for MHS wanted"......we are all waiting for that glorious day.

[wishfulthinking]

Wouldn't it be refreshing if this advertisement said "CEO for Mission Hospital" or "Chairman of the Board for Mission Hospital."

[interestedphysician]

This is the key--get as many of the medical practices under Missions foot then squeeze them til the bleed.Appears the Board (and that is a term that I use with tongue in cheek) has agreed to go along with this in spite of them telling me they are not trying to manage the practices in WNC--for them to go along with JD et al,lie to the community--blatently I might add-- and proceed with this line is a disservice to WNC .The fact they snapped up ACA at a moment when there is a 20% reduction in reimbursement for out of hospital cardiac caths and a 20% increase for in hospital reimbursement probably saved JDs job but there is so much lying going on its hard to figure.The fact the cardiologists only want to practice medicine and leave the business of medicine is ex[posed by the simple fact--its all about the dollar.Thank you Board for selling the medical community.

[ruserious?]

Who do you think the CEO of MMA will report to? Brian of course. Maybe he can spend another $700,000 on their offices like he did the new lounge. Wonder if this is the same firm that got their last "qualified" VP from some small 95 bed hospital in Texas with absolutely no clue as to what is going on. I liken their choice to that of a Nickelodeon show that my daughter watches, True Jackson, VP but I believe she may be a little more competent that the other VP.

[intheknow]

Who are they kidding. From what i understand there is already a ceo for mission medical assoicates. Asheville Hospitalist Mark Westle

[Also Ashamed]

The CEO, COO, CFO, VPs area of the hospital the "MEZZ" will make the physicians' lounge look like NOTHING... the hospital has only hired Directors and newly created VP positions since last October and now they are completely refurbishing that area with JD getting the biggest office on one End and Brian AS[S]ton's office at the other End; doesn't appear they are going anywhere.. SO disappointing. Where is the action after the report to the board? Seems to have been swept under the carpet, or under all the new carpet and furnishings on the Mezz. The Interim CEO of MMA was of course hand picked by none other than BA... that speaks volumes, correct?

[embarrassed for mission]

Re wishful thinking entry:
Definitely CEO for Mission along with past Chairman of the Board who hand picked JD and who has supported him through all of the mismanagement, etc, etc. They have been a lethal duo and BOTH should RESIGN immediately and give our beloved hospital back to the community.

[zen]

So Mark Westle is only the interim? Hmmm... that puts a different spin on things.

And i hate the attitude that seems prevalent in the medical community around here that "you're lucky to even have a job." Bullshit. When the Hospital Stooge states "Many of these physicians WOULD NOT BE HERE if they were not employed by the hospital." it's the same bullshit. They would be here but they'd have to tighten their belts more, have a few less perks and employ less support staff, but they'd BE HERE. The hospital provides some advantages by being able to charge more for the same services that physicians alone could charge, but - despite what MSR says - the majority of doctors that i know care most about providing healthcare, and would simply like to keep their higher wages and support staff intact. By implying that the hospital is the only game in town proves that the hospital is smug about their intention of being profitable, NOT providing healthcare.

[Miss Daisy]

What zen said.

[ruserious?]

Hopefully everyone realizes that JD and BA both signed contracts with Mission when they were hired and I am sure there are sone serious compensation allowences in the event they were fired, which they won't be because what type of signal would it send if the Board or leadership for that fact actually listened to thier customers and took action. BA will continue to meet his needs by hiring people he can control while those that try to make a difference and can think for themselves are concerned what he will come up with next. Many good people have left, forced to leave or been demoted while BA and JD run rampant unchecked. I know I worry everyday I come in what will happen. No wonder organization scores were so low with the staff satisfaction survey.

[Anonn]

It has been three weeks since the 9/28 Board meeting held to review physicains (and staff's) concerns with current Mission Administrators (Damore, Aston et al). For a brief period security was posted in Administration because of perceived threats from the physicains. This, of course, is a handy tool used to paint current leadership as "victims" of a physician "mob". I ask you, would a group of intelligent, professionals stoop to that level of sordid behavior when they have already taken much of their valuable time to present their concerns appropriately and concisely through participation in one-on-one meetings, by spending days developing a presentation of their issues to the Board? I think not. It is especially amusing when in fact there is very strong evidence that Damore and Aston are forcing medical professionals to support them in promoting the profit margins, yet setting up a plethora of hurdles for any type of equipment or patient care item purchase. Yes, let's improve the facade by renovating the lobby and the administrative offices (all new furniture for the executives and renovations costing over one million dollars) - yet we could not afford another trauma surgeon who by the way would not only save lives, but who would also generate revenue - something a waterfall in a lobby cannot do...unless we start tossing coins into it wishing Joe would go away (that's an idea, everyone who wants Joe, Brian et al to leave, toss a coin in the waterfall in the lobby).

In medieval times, priests, and monks would start a crusaide, traveling from town to town enlightening villagers about fraud and corruption. While we are being asked "not to air our dirty laundry" (which by the way is prime dysfunctional behaviore), I say let us air this foul stench, not just on Ashevegas, but I invited everyone concerned to send out emails from their computers at home imploring people everywhere across the nation to read the Ashevegas blog. Wouldn't it be especially grand if we received emails back from some physicians and staff at Sparrow Hospital and St. Francis about their history with Damore and Aston? Which brings us back friends and neighbors to the question of due diligence and that process in regards to Damore. All one had to do was scratch the surface to find out we were much pitied for hiring Damore. This then begs the question, "why would the board hire Joe Damore over our former COO? Our former COO had the support of the physicians, staff, community and EVERY CEO (via signed letters of support) in the region. Board members need to be held accountable for this debacle. Perhaps 60 minutes or Good Morning America, or Rolling Stone, or Healthleaders would like to do some good investigative reporting and get to the bottom of some really dirty linen involving some questionable land deals. We may also want to look at how Damore's insurance program would line some pockets.

I am wondering, too, where our "voice" is. So I say, let us find OUR voice and take Misison Hospital back from the hands of these reprobates who do not care about the people of western North Carolina; they are interested in only two things, money and power. My last plea is to continue to fight the current administration and board. Mission's reputation, history, staff and clinicians are invaluable, at this point we may be able to repair the damage.

Please, someone, please help us get out hospital back.

[PhysicianVoice]

Look at the details of the job description: "Managerially reporting directly to the Mission Health System SVP/Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MMA will be responsible for providing a clear sense of strategic direction while implementing the vision for MMA."

Isn't MMA supposed to be physician-led? If so, why does the CEO of MMA report to the COO of Mission?

[notfooled]

mma, they know who the ceo is...do not let the post fool you. as usual, they are bringing in people from the outside and giving them vp, director and manager jobs and the people that have been there for years are bumped down to a nobody. they get the title adn money and the workers that have been there for years that know the job do the job and do not get recognized. it is terrible. they keep secrets of what is going on with everything. what they don't know is they are being watched and looked at and someone is reporting every move they make. the new vp's,ceo's,directors,etc. be careful what you decide and do because it may come back and bite you. you don't treat the people that work their butt off like dirt and act like youknow everything because they have created a vp, ceo, etc. job for you. you may be looking for a job like the rest of the employees are and the medical field in asheville are looking at these employees to hire.

[Back Yard Buster]

I worked with BA at St. Francis. None of this is a surprise to me. He was a poor VP at the Saint. He was rude and walked over his staff. He seems to be able to talk his way into any position he wants. Such a waste.