SOUTH SHORE UPHEAVAL
Two executives placed on administrative leave
Two top executives at South Shore Health were placed on administrative leave amid “operational and administration issues,” according to a press release issued by the health system on Tuesday.
Following a Monday meeting of the organization’s board of directors, South Shore Health President and CEO Dr. Gene Green and Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer Wayne Stockbridge were placed on paid administrative leave while the board reviews “various operational and administrative issues.”
Recently retired South Shore Health executive Rose Di Pietro will take over as acting CEO during the period of the administrative leave. Di Pietro previously served as president of home and community care at South Shore Health.
“We believe that the necessary steps taken today will allow for a prompt, thorough, and independent review of the issues while enabling the organization to continue executing on its mission to provide highquality care to and within the South Shore community,” said board Chairman Ken Kirkland in a statement. “At the same time we will continue supporting the needs of our employees, clinical staff and partners.”
Kirkland said it’s still early on in the review process, which he expects to last several weeks before the findings are reported.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Timothy Lynch said, “As always our patients and their families are our top priority and our colleagues will ensure that the high quality care provided at South Shore continues uninterrupted.”
The suspensions add to recent leadership turmoil as they come just under a week after the first female president of South Shore Hospital, Pamela Whelton, stepped down. Whelton held the position for just four months after taking on the role in April.
A spokeswoman at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the agency has no role in the leadership changes at South Shore Health and would only take action if patient care or safety were at risk.
South Shore Health has continued to expand in recent years and just last month announced its partnership with Wellforce, a health system with members including Tufts Medical Center.