Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
One of the first major steps in the recently signed management agreement between Pauls Valley General Hospital and St. Anthony Health System has now been set in motion, one which begins with the reevaluation of leadership.
Official as of a PVGH board meeting Monday, the decision was made to make a change starting at the top, with the announcement of a new CEO, according to Loren Cronin, chairman. Following the recommendation made by officials from St. Anthony to hire Bridgette Cosby to take on the position currently held by Gayle Sturgis, board members approved the recommendation set to take effect after the management agreement begins Feb. 1.
“What they’re looking for is the best fit for the job, the hospital,” said Cronin, adding how Cosby comes from within the Anthony system already, currently the CEO at the medical facility in Holdenville. “They had a relationship already and felt comfortable with her.”
The road for leadership has been rocky at PVGH over the past few years as three different individuals have held the title, the most recent two each holding the position for less than a year. It was in June 2010 the hospital board and PV hospital authority decided to go in a new leadership direction when they hired Chris Whybrew, one which lasted about nine months before Sturgis replaced him at first in an interim role in May 2011.
Sturgis had joined the hospital originally as Chief Nurse Officer in August 2010 before that and has held the official CEO title since late July 2011, said Cronin. However, he also pointed out how this is not a reflection on her performance and had only compliments for the job she has done.
Sturgis will remain in an interim role as CEO until Feb. 27 when Cosby officially takes over duties, though it does not mean Sturgis will not be able to be an employee of St. Anthony, said Cronin. She still has the option to apply once again for the Chief Nurse Officer position, which has also been opened for application along with that of Chief Financial Officer.
“We’ve been very satisfied with what Gayle’s done so far with management and the hospital,” said Cronin. “Their name is on the line, they want what’s best for Pauls Valley.”
Though the decision was based on recommendations from St. Anthony, Cronin said all parties are excited about the opportunity from saving patients from having to drive out of town for a majority of services to taking care of the financial strain of the past several years. Cosby will begin getting familiar with all processes some time before she starts and is a part of the overall goal to create a brighter future.
A town hall meeting was also held at the hospital Wednesday at both 1 and 3 p.m., where officials announced a reduction in force of 17 employees. Part restructuring departments and reducing the number of those in management positions, the goal is to bring a right size to the hospital where they can grow from a more efficient staff population as they increase the number of patients they serve.
“Our community healthcare is going to be greatly improved,” said Cronin. “I don’t know who’s more excited, us getting them here more or them getting to come here... I see a lot of potential.”
Local News
PVGH Board approves CEO change
Sturgis to step down after transition
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