Summa Health board to gain more direct oversight of administrative moves

The board of directors of Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health is taking steps to more directing oversee administrative moves following strong opposition to the system’s decision to replace its emergency department staff.

The plan includes hiring an “executive coach” who will report directly to the board, work with leadership and guide the establishment of a culture “that values employee and physician engagement,” according to a Jan. 15 letter from the board. The board also will create an advisory medical staff panel, take on direct oversight for all physician contracts for the rest of 2017.

Summa brought in new ED physicians after contract negotiations broke down with Summa Emergency Associates, the independent physician group that had staffed the system’s EDs for decades. Hundreds of physicians voted no-confidence in Dr. Thomas Malone, Summa president and CEO.

The letter didn’t mention Malone by name. The executive coach will work with all members of the Summa executive leadership team.